Untoward circumstances had nearly brought the mission work at New Norcia to a standstill, until the return of Bishop Salvado in 1853. In that year he built a chapel 40 feet by 17; three cottages for native families 24 feet by 15; a workshop; 50 acres of land was cleared, and 2,600 sheep placed on the run.
In 1854 a stone building was erected for a granary and cornmill.
In 1871 a cruciform chapel, 102 feet long by 20 wide; a pro-monastery 120 feet by 20, 3 stories high; two wooden dwelling houses 100 feet by 18 for native boys and girls; seven stone and brick cottages 30 feet by 17 with two rooms each, for married natives; work shops, and out-houses, and a stone cottage for the police, were built, with a barn and stable 100 feet by 20; 300 acres of land had been cleared, 200 of which were under cultivation, yielding 3,000 bushels of wheat and barley, and 15 tons of hay; 3 acres were planted with vines, from which 200 gallons of good wine was made; there was a large and productive garden, and about 1 ton of tobacco was produced. The number of aborigines was 50.
