We did not have catechisms since the First Century.  It took almost four hundred years to sort what we believed about the nature of the Trinity---how Jesus is related to God,  how the Holy Spirit is related and interacts.  This was worked out at the Council of Niccea, Council of Constantinople1, Council of Chalcedon.  And there were a few Councils after that---because there were still questions. 

Catechisms are a result of the Council of Trent----because it was then that doctrines were defined.