Significant Church events in Australia

  • La Perouse enters Botany Bay

    La Perouse enters Botany Bay and his chaplain, Abbe Mones, celebrates the first
    Mass within Australian territory
  • First Irish convicts travel

    The First Irish convicts were transported to Botany Bay.
  • First public mass

    First public mass
  • Arrival in Sydney

    Father John Terry and Father Phillip Connely arrive in Sydney as Australia’s first ever priest.
  • Father Therry

    Father Therry was removed from his role as colony’s official chaplin.
  • Fr Daniel Power

    Father Daniel Power lands in Sydney to replace Father Therry.
  • Fr Power dies

    Fr Power dies
  • Fr John Mcecroe appointed

    Fr John Mcecroe was appointed the official chaplin of Australia.
  • St Mary's chapel

    St Mary's chapel was completed
  • John Bede Polding is consecrated

    Benedictine priest, John Bede Polding is consecrated (ordained as Bishop) in London and appointed Vicar Apostolic with jurisdiction over what is now the Commonwealth of Australia.
  • Five sisters of Charity

    Five Sisters of Charity arrive in Sydney with a mission to help the poor and disadvantaged in response to a request from Archbishop Polding for a community of sisters in the colony. English-born philanthropist Caroline Chisholm also arrives in Sydney as does a large contingent of secular Irish clergy including Fr John Brady who is appointed to Windsor with a parish that extends from Penrith to the Hawkesbury and Broken Bay.
  • St Mary's cathedral

    St Mary’s cathedral renovated. Archdiocese now has 33 parishes, 30 churches and 35 priests.
  • Fr John Quinn

    Fr John Quinn becomes the first bishop of Brisbane.
  • NSW government

    The NSW government passes Bill to abolish state aid
  • Fire destroys cathedral

    Fire destroys St Mary's cathedral
  • Sisters of St Joseph

    Mary Mackillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods found the Sisters of St Joseph.
  • Mary Mackillop ex communicated

    Mary Mackillop was excommunicated by the bishop of Adelaide because she was thought to incite her sisters to disobedience and defiance.
  • Mary Mackillop recommunicated

    Mary Mackillop is recommunicated into the church and the sisters permitted to continue the work.
  • Archbishop Polding dies

    Archbishop Polding dies at age 85.
  • Mary Mackillop dies

    Mary Mackillop dies.
  • Cardinal Moran

    Archdiocese now has 189 churches. Of Sydney’s 170,000 Catholics more than 25,000 kids are enrolled at archdiocese schools
    Cardinal Moran dies.
  • World One declared

    World War one declared. Catholics become influential in Australia's labour party.
  • Australia's prime minister

    James Scullin becomes Australia’s first prime minister.
  • Archbishop Michael Kelly dies.

    Archbishop Michael Kelly dies.
  • Demand in catholic schools

    Catholic schools are overwhelmed by demand of attendance and children.
  • Death of Pope John XXIII

    Death of Pope John XXIII
    Mass changes from Latin to English.
  • Archdiocese of Sydney

    Archdiocese of Sydney now has 366 catholic schools with over 115,704 children attending and Cardinal Gilroy dies.
  • Rome declares

    Rome declares that Australia is no longer a mission country.
  • Death of Cardinal Freeman

    Thousands mourn the death of Cardinal Freeman.
  • Pope John Paul visits

    Pope John Paul visits Australia for the first time.
  • Archbishop Clancy

    Archbishop Clancy is created as a cardinal.
  • Pope John Paul's second visit to Australia

    Pope John Paul makes his second visit to Australia.
  • St Mary’s Cathedral

    St Mary’s Cathedral is renovated.
  • Death of beloved Pope John Paul II

    The beloved Pope John Paul II died.
  • Pope Benedict XVI makes his first visit to Australia

    Pope Benedict XVI makes his first visit to Australia when archdiocese of Sydney hosts world Youth Day