MILESTONES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ABU DHABI

1960: First mass in private house by visiting priest from Bahrain
1963: Fr. Barnabas Maddii starts to celebrate mass once a month in Das Island, Abu Dhabi (ADMA training centre) and in Ruwais
22 Jun 1963: Title deed for 11 acres of land on the Corniche signed by H.H. Sheikh Shakbut
Oct 1963: Beginning of construction work on the St. Joseph's Church in Corniche
10 Feb 1964: Foundation stone of the new church is blessed by Fr. Barnabas Maddii
25 Dec 1964: First Christmas Midnight mass celebrated in the new church
19 Feb 1965: Inauguration of the church by Bishop Magliacani. The Ruler Sheikh Shakbut, his brother Zayed Bin Sultan and other important officials are present. Later in the evening at 5.30 pm, there is a Solemn High Mass with Benediction.
01 Jan 1974: Abu Dhabi becomes the See of the Apostolic Vicar of Arabia
02 Mar 1976: Arrival of Bishop Bernard Gremoli in Abu Dhabi 
16 Aug 1977: Granting of land in Al Mushrif by the Abu Dhabi Presidential Court at the instruction of H.H. Sheikh Zayed
19 Mar 1981: Blessing and laying of foundation stone
25 Dec 1982: Christmas mass celebrated in the new church compound in Al Mushrif
02 Jan 1983: Last mass in the Corniche Church
25 Feb 1983: Consecration of St. Joseph's Church Al Mushrif by His Eminence Agnelo Cardinal Rossi
9 Oct 2014: Inauguration of St. Therese Church and Parish Hall in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and His Excellency Sheikh Ali Al Hashemi
5 Feb 2019: Visit of Holy Father Pope Francis to St. Joseph's Cathedral, Abu Dhabi, and the celebration of the first-ever UAE Papal Mass in Abu Dhabi, UAE live at Zayed Sports City Stadium.
16 March 2020: Suspension of prayer services and closure of all places of worship, including St. Joseph's Cathedral, Abu Dhabi, to safeguard the UAE people at the onset of the pandemic caused by Covid-19.

To help with providing a catholic education, catechism and assisting in pastoral work, two congregations of women religious arrived in Abu Dhabi - the Rosary Sisters in 1969 and the Carmelite Sisters of Saint Teresa in 1973.