About The Abbey
The Abbey B&B is a fully restored 1919 Catholic Presbytery. It has 7 elegant guest rooms, 4 with ensuites. The wide shady verandas, sunny conservatory and peaceful sitting room all allow guests to feel pampered and relaxed. You will be assured of a warm country welcome when you arrive to stay with us at The Abbey.
The History of The Abbey
Roman Catholic believers were among the earliest settlers in the West, and despite the small number of priests in the colony, a few went over the mountains to care for the settlers.
Mass during these early years in Narromine was celebrated in the Court House by Father Curran, who was pastor to Narromine, Trangie and Nevertire.
In 1892, Father Curran built a wooden church, 49 feet in length for the cost of 159 pounds and 10 shillings.
In 1918 the Rev. Joseph Brahman arrived from Broken Hill to become the first resident Parish Priest. He was met at the railway by a large crowd and dined at The Federal Hotel.
That night at the Hotel, it was decided to build a Presbytery immediately as Narromine was the last major town before "The West" began and travelling clergy needed a base from which to begin and end their journeys.
This is why the building is quite extensive. It was never meant to accomodate just the one Parish priest, but was used by all travelling clergy into Western NSW.
The Foundation Stone of the Presbytery was set by Bishop W. Haydon on 30th March 1919 and it was blessed and opened on 8th February 1920. The Foundation Stone still has pride of place on the front right side of the veranda.
The Catholic Presbytery was sold in 1985 and a newer, more modern residence was built for the Parish Priest between the Church and the Presbytery. It was resold in 1995 to Simon and Meg who completed 3 years of extensive renovations, where the integrity and history of the original building was maintained. restored and upgraded. The Narromine Catholic Presbytery is now operating as a peaceful and elegant Bed and Breakfast, aptly named "The Abbey".
Your hosts ..
Greg and Jenine Varady-Szabo
Greg and Jenine are the 4th Owners of The Abbey B & B. Greg teaches at Narromine High School, where Jenine is also the School Chaplain. They come with a long experience in personal hospitality; in their own home in Sydney including foster care, pastoral care, and education in Social Welfare.
They were also the Leaders of a Christian Community in Kathmandu Nepal for 3 1/2 years hosting the many western travellers and tourists who got into difficulty there.
Greg and Jenine have enjoyed restoring period houses and furniture, gardening, reading and discussing current affairs, philosophy and faith, or just having a 'yarn and laugh' with the many interesting guests who stay at The Abbey. They are proud of their 3 children, 2 in-law children and besotted with their 6 grandchildren.