St Patrick's Church and Graveyard

A drive through the upper reaches of the Bremer River, along Rosewood Aratula Road, will bring you to a lovely little country church and graveyard. St Patrick's Church at Rosevale was established in November 1889 by Ipswich Parish Priest, Father James Horan, nephew of Brisbane's first bishop, James Quinn. One of Father Horan's curates was a young James Duhig. He later became Archbishop of Brisbane and head of the Catholic Church in Queensland. In this role he built churches, convents and schools across the state and was influential in both town and social planning. However, this little Irish enclave in Rosevale remained close to his heart. The simplicity of the church epitomised the success and aspirations of this rural Irish Catholic community. Rosevale was an important dairying district in the 1890s and early 1900s, and a cheese factory was built just down the road from the church in 1898. Although a town survey was never made, some businesses were attracted to the district, included a general store, butcher, baker and blacksmith. The Rosevale Catholic Church is one of three churches remaining in the township.