Nath's Early Catholic Community 1788-1850

First Fleet arrives in New South Wales

Jan 26, 1788

30%of the 756 convicts to arrive on the first fleet in 1788 were baptised Catholics. It took three months on the first fleet to arrive.

1792 Catholics asks for a priest.

1792

Five lay Catholics petitioned Governor Philip for appointment of a catholic priest

First two priest arrive in New South Wales

1798

Fr Dixon was caught up in the reaction of 1798 and was transported to New South Wales, arriving in January 1800

First mass allowed to be celebrated.

May 15, 1803

The first "official" mass celebrated in New South Wales occurred in Sydney 15 may 1803. There was also police watched everybody. A second mass was not allowed for a further 16 years.

First free priest arrived.

1818

While Father O'Flynn was not a convict he was not approved by England but he was expelled from New South Wales in 1818

First official Catholic Priest arrive

1820

Fathers Connolly and Therry are the official Catholic priest were the first ever priests in Wales.

First priest arrives in Brisbane

1843

As the colony of Moreton Bay (where Brisbane is now) was part of the colony of New South Wales Polding was also the Archbishop of Moreton Bay.