It’s not every day that a daughter casually announces, “I bought a church,” especially when the building in question lacks a roof, windows, and hasn’t hosted a sermon since 1968. This was the unexpected revelation that transformed the lives of Helen and Terry Roebig in South East Queensland’s Scenic Rim.
Four years, a muddy midnight move, and hundreds of jars of homemade rosella jam later, the century-old timber chapel, rescued by the Roebigs’ daughter Jess, now stands proudly beside its companion, a renovated old schoolhouse. The two buildings, both steeped in history, now sit side by side on a hill, forming a picturesque reunion more than a century in the making.
A Tale of Two Buildings
The Roebigs, along with their daughter Jess Bickerstaff, operate the Vanbery Cottage Host Farm near Mount Alford, just outside Boonah. The property already featured the former Tarome schoolhouse, which had been converted into a guest cottage. So when Jess spotted the old Tarome church for sale on Facebook Marketplace for $4,000, the family seized the opportunity to reunite the two structures from the same rural community.
“They belonged together,” Helen remarked. “The school and the church were from the same little rural community, so it just felt right.”
The Chapel That Jam Built
Restoring a derelict church is no small feat, especially one that had served as a hay shed for the past 50 years. To fund the restoration, Helen and Jess turned to a family tradition: jam-making. Starting with just six rosella bushes, they began producing jars of jam to sell at markets and local shops, eventually expanding their operation to 160 bushes.
“Now we’ve got 160 bushes, and everything we earned went into the chapel,” Helen said. “We treated ourselves to a coffee at the market once. That was it.”
Their efforts covered the costs of timber, trades, windows, and fittings, transforming the church from a neglected structure into a welcoming space.
What Exactly is a Rosella?
Rosellas are bright red hibiscus flowers with a tart, fruity pod used in jams, cordials, and teas. Popular in Queensland backyards for generations, they’re rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Helen recalls rosellas being a staple on her family farm in Mulgowie, where they were often used for bartering.
Jess continued this tradition, picking up the art of jam-making while living in England. This season alone, the family has harvested over 400 kilograms of rosellas, turning them into various products including jam, syrup, paste, and tea.
Preserving History
The church had been without a roof since a storm in the late 1960s. Rebuilding it on a windswept hill was a challenge, but local builder Shane Goulding, who had always dreamed of restoring a chapel, proved to be the perfect partner for the project.
“When he walked inside and said it was always his dream to restore a chapel, I knew we’d found the right person,” Helen said.
Terry Roebig took on the task of restoring doors and windows, many salvaged from other projects. Slowly, piece by piece, the chapel was brought back to life.
“Had it not come here, that history would’ve been lost,” Terry said. “It might’ve ended up in Brisbane, but it belonged here.”
A Love Story and a New Beginning
Jess had only been dating her then-boyfriend Dan for two weeks when she announced her purchase of the church. Far from being deterred, Dan embraced the project, and a year later, the couple was engaged. They married in the church the following April, despite its ongoing renovations.
“It didn’t scare him off,” Helen said. “A year later, they were engaged, and the next April they got married in it.”
Today, the restored chapel welcomes visitors from across the country and overseas. Some come for the breathtaking views, others for a peaceful retreat, and a few to help pick rosellas or simply enjoy a chat over a cup of tea.
For the Roebigs, sharing their property with guests has been a rewarding experience. “We had neighbors on both sides for 38 years in Brisbane,” Helen said. “Now, if someone’s staying 100 meters away, that’s not hard.”
Terry, who initially thought his renovation days were over, finds joy in watching visitors discover the beauty of their restored church. “It’s pleasing on the eye, and it’s something that’ll last,” he said. And as for the jam, there’s always more on the way, ensuring that the legacy of rosellas continues to thrive.
