Early Catholic Church in Australia

First Colony

100

This priest, who arrived in 1800, is considered the first Catholic priest to serve in Australia.

Fr James Dixon

200

The first recorded Catholic Mass in Australia was celebrated in Sydney Cove in what year. Clue: Between 1800 to 1810

1803

300

In the early years of the colony, Catholics faced tensions with this Protestant group, whose members held many of the colonial positions of power.

Anglican

400

During the early colonial period, these two Christian groups were often at odds, a conflict known as sectarianism.

Catholics and Anglicans

500

This event on 4 March 1804 was a failed uprising by Irish convicts, many of whom were Catholic, against the British authorities.

Castle Hill Rebellion

First Colony (cont.)

100

This priest, who arrived in 1820, became the first Catholic Bishop of Sydney and was instrumental in establishing the Church's presence in Australia.

John Bede Polding

200

What year did the Castle Hill rebellion occur? 

Clue: Between 1800 to 1810.

1804

300

In 1817, this Catholic priest was sent to Australia from Ireland and was instrumental in establishing St Mary's Cathedral and early Catholic schools.

Fr Joseph Therry

400

First Australian saint and the co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph in 1866

Saint Mary MacKillop RSJ

500

This cathedral whose construction began in 1821 is the mother church of Australian Catholicism.

St Mary's Cathedral