The Centre for Early Christian Studies has its genesis in the work of previous research concentrations in Australian Catholic University. In 1992 plans were made by three members of the academic staff on three different campuses for a Centre of Patristic Studies, but at that stage the University lacked a critical mass of staff and postgraduates in this area of teaching and research, and, despite the academic credentials and international standing of the three staff members involved, the proposal went no further than the initial planning stage.
Between 1992 and 1994 there was a significant growth in high profile academic staff and in postgraduate students, such that the University's Research Management Plan has identified early Christian literature as an area of research strength (2.1), which has been targeted for special funding from the institution (2.3). Consequently, in 1994 an informal Early Christian Literature research group came into existence, a group of eleven academic staff members on five campuses of the University, with research and teaching specialisations in New Testament studies and Patristics. Being more broadly based and having the desired critical mass, the group was able to meet regularly by teleconference in order to co-ordinate and give support to research and postgraduate teaching across a wider spectrum, namely early Christian literature from the first to the eighth centuries.
Since 1994 the group has expanded again, and now comprises sixteen members across five campuses, in addition to honorary research associates and three Adjunct Professors. The collaborative approach to research and postgraduate supervision is seen by its members as an effective combination of personnel, resources and aspirations because of the group's focus on the New Testament writings and the reception and transmission of these writings in the works of the great Christian thinkers, preachers, historians and catechists in the late antique world. This approach is endorsed by the Pontifical Biblical Commission in the document The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church (Rome, 1993):
The exegetical task is far too large to be successfully pursued by individual scholars working alone. It calls for a division of labour, especially in research, which demands specialists in different fields. Interdisciplinary collaboration will help in limitations that specialisations may tend to produce.
The crucial importance of Patristics in the life of a Catholic university was underlined by Pope Paul VI, quoted in the Vatican document Instruction on the Study of the Fathers of the Church (1989).
The study of the Fathers, which is of great use to everyone, is absolutely necessary for those who care about the theological, pastoral and spiritual renewal promoted by the Council and wish to co-operate in it. In them, in fact, are all the constant factors that are the basis of any authentic renewal.
At its meeting on 10 October 1996, the Senate of Australian Catholic University resolved to approve the proposal for the establishment of the Centre. On 1 May 1997 the Centre began its existence and its office is presently located on the McAuley Campus (Brisbane). In 1998 it became the first research centre within Australian Catholic University to receive the special endorsement of the Senate of that institution, and in 2000 it became one of the University's Flagship areas, a status which it held until the end of 2003.