The Mount St Benedict Centre – formerly the Novitiate – in Pennant Hills closed last month after 90 years of formation for the Sisters of the Good Samaritan and the wider faith community.
Every student and staff member who comes through the College understands how much our Good Samaritan heritage inspires and informs the College community.
General Information from 2013
The entrance features stained glass, and as you ascend the stairs to the second floor, two striking large stained-glass windows depict the local bush. One of these windows includes a steeple, which interestingly serves as the distinctive signature of the stained-glass artist, as informed by Ashwin and Falconer, the stained-glass artists.
The colours for the windows were imported from Wales. And the roof tiles are Welsh – Edgar Olley Jones, did not like the English and refused to import English goods to the colony.
The MSB Centre: A new chapter begins at Mount St Benedict College
These stained glass windows are from the gallery above the Chapel. No one knows of their origin. Perhaps they came from the original convent in Pitt Street when it was demolished in 2001 for the present Central ~Railway Station. One window is the image of The Good Shepherd (and the Good Samaritan Sisters were originally called sisters of the Good Shepherd, so this would make sense);
One window is of the Crucifixion and one of the Book of Revelation image: “I am standing at the door.” Rev 3:20.
Ashwin and Falconer, one of the original stained glass artists in the colony, claimed that these windows were made by them.
Regenbah- An oasis of peace, calm and spiritual nurturing
The man who built the original house, Edgar Olley Jones, purchased over 10 acres between Pennant Hills and Albert Roads in April 1906.
A History of the Catholic Faith in Pennant Hills
This school was established in 1966 by the Benedictine order of the Sisters of the Good Samaritans. This order had acquired the property Regenbah in 1927 at which time they established a novitiate and chapel on the site.
Architect George Sydney Jones [1868-1927] was the grandson of retailer David Jones and the son of Sir Phillip Sydney Jones [1836-1918], a prominent physician.
2 Wandeen Avenue Beecroft designed and built by George Sydney Jones
Lorne House on Beecroft Road now called Cook House on the site of Arden Anglican School Junior Campus. The building was designed by architect George Sydney Jones (1864-1927), grandson of retailer David Jones. It's design was radical for the area.
