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The Early Years of the Catholic Church

By Michael.Simmons

  • First Fleet Arrives

    First Fleet Arrives
    First fleet arrives in Australia, also possible that first mass (Anglican) was celebrated this year.

  • William Davis Arrives

    William Davis Arrives
    William Davis Arrives in Sydney as a convict.

  • Fr James Dixon Arrives

    Fr James Dixon Arrives
    Fr James Dixon arrives as a convict in Australia after the Irish 1798 Rebellion.

  • First Public Catholic Mass

    First Public Catholic Mass
    First Catholic mass is held under strict government supervision and is performed by Fr Dixon.

  • The Castle Hill Uprising

    The Castle Hill Uprising
    The rebellion of the convicts against the colonial authority of New South Wales, resulting in Fr Dixon loosing his permit to conduct mass.

  • The Rum Rebellion

    The Rum Rebellion
    Australia's first and only military coup, staged by the New South Wales Corps in order to depose Governor William Bligh.

  • Arrival of Fr Jeremiah O’Flynn

    Arrival of Fr Jeremiah O’Flynn
    Fr Jeremiah Flynn arrives to minister the convict Catholics but he does not have the official sanction of the church or state.

  • Fr O’Flynn is Arrested and Deported

    Fr O’Flynn is Arrested and Deported
    Fr O’Flynn is deported after ignoring the Governor’s instructions not to carry out any of the functions of a priest.

  • Fr John Therry and Fr Philip Conolly, arrive in Sydney

    Fr John Therry and Fr Philip Conolly, arrive in Sydney
    Fr Therry opens the first Catholic school. Father Conolly leaves for Hobart leaving Fr John Therry the only priest on mainland Australia.

  • St Mary’s Chapel

    St Mary’s Chapel
    The foundation stone of St Mary’s Chapel is laid by Governor Macquarie and blessed by Fr Therry.

  • First Catholic Church

    First Catholic Church
    Father Connolly builds the first Catholic church in Tasmania.

  • First Catholic School

    First Catholic School
    Fr Therry founds the first Catholic school on Hunter Street, Parramatta.

  • St Mary’s Chapel Completed

    St Mary’s Chapel Completed
    St Mary’s Chapel finally completed. Fr Therry celebrates the first Mass there.

  • First Catholic Bishop

    First Catholic Bishop
    Bede Polding becomes Australia’s first Catholic bishop.

  • Catholic Schools

    Catholic Schools
    Bishop Polding takes control of schools and has 13 primary schools in operation for Catholic children.

  • William Davis Contributes to the Catholic Church

    William Davis Contributes to the Catholic Church
    William Davis donated some of his land so that St Patrick’s church could be built.

  • St Mary’s Cathedral

    St Mary’s Cathedral
    St Mary’s Chapel modified into a Cathedral.

  • Eureka Stockade

    Eureka Stockade
    Gold miners in Ballarat, Victoria. Revolt against the colonial authority of the United Kingdom.

  • Marist Brothers Arrive in Australia

    Marist Brothers Arrive in Australia
    The first Marist Brothers arrives in Australia, and establish schools in Sydney.