Catholic Theological College was established in 1972 when a group of dioceses and religious institutes agreed to act together as a confederated body in academic matters.

[1] Cardinal James Knox (1914-1983) was the driving force behind the establishment of a central Catholic college in Melbourne, rather than maintaining separate seminaries for diocesan priests and religious institutes.

The successful outcome provided enhanced theological education for seminarians and lay students, with degrees awarded through the Melbourne College of Divinity.

Notable presenters of the Knox Public Lecture include: Archbishop Stylianos of Australia in 1989, Alan Jones in 1992, Davis McCaughey in 1993, Keith Rayner in 1995, Michael Tate in 1997 and Margaret Manion in 2001.

[1] The new Thomas Carr Centre, which incorporated administration, faculty offices and the Mannix Library, adjoined a 1870s neo-Gothic building that was formerly the Christian Brothers' Cathedral College.