St Ildephonsus College was opened in 1913 as a boys’ boarding school staffed by the Marist Brothers and later the Benedictines. Its architecture reflects the broader monastic and medievalist aesthetic of New Norcia, a town known for Spanish‑influenced, Byzantine, Gothic Revival, and Renaissance‑style buildings. The college forms part of this heritage ensemble, designed to complement the monastery and surrounding ecclesiastical structures.
New Norcia is owned and run by the Benedictine Community, one of only three male Benedictine monasteries in Australia. St Ildephonsus College, like the other historic buildings in the town, remains under their custodianship.
The school closed in 1991 and now functions primarily as a venue for school camps and group accommodation, similar to other historic buildings in New Norcia that host retreats and group stays. Amenities today include:
Dormitory‑style accommodation
Large communal rooms
Access to New Norcia’s heritage precinct and walking areas
It no longer operates as an educational institution. Groups book the facility year‑round.
The building is primarily residential and ecclesiastical in nature, not a sporting campus.
New Norcia is located next to the Moore River, which runs through the settlement. However the river is not used for rowing, there are no rowing facilities, and the waterway is shallow and unsuitable for competitive or training purposes.