Howley's cottage in Paxton Square where Mass was first celebrated in Burra
Knevett's house, Chapel Street, Burra, where Mass was later celebrated
According to a history of the parish, written by Fr. Kevin Matthews, the Catholic parish of Burra has its origins in a revolution that was spreading through Europe, starting in Paris in 1848. The 1848 "Anti-Jesuit Law" in Austria gave the Jesuits a choice of ceasing to be Jesuits or going into exile from their homeland. The law was repealed by 1852 but the effects were felt in many parts of Europe.
As per the experience of German Lutherans, German Catholics also objected to interference in religious matters by the Prussian Government. It was Frank Welkert a prosperous farmer from Silesia, Germany who planned to lead a group of German Catholics to South Australia.
Two Jesuits, Fr. Maximillian Klinkowstroem and Fr. Aloysius Kranewitter were chosen to open the mission that would eventually lead to the establishment of the parish of Sevenhill and eventually of Burra.
The first Catholic services were held in Burra in 1849 and from 1853, Burra was visited regularly once a month. Mass was celebrated at Howley's Cottage in Paxton Square or at Knevett's home in Chapel Street.