St Columba's Convent, Dalby

St Columba's Convent is a brick and timber building on Cunningham Street with a distinctive triple-gabled façade, stained glass windows, and wide timber verandahs featuring cast iron decorations. The H-shaped structure contains multiple spaces including a chapel, refectory, and dormitory areas connected by a central section.

The building was designed in 1913 by architect George Bernard Roskell for the Sisters of Mercy and operated as their convent and school until 1990. The nuns shaped religious and educational life in the community for more than seven decades.

The convent shows how the Catholic Church shaped education in rural Queensland and served as a center for teaching and religious life. Visitors can see the chapel and classrooms that reflect the daily routines of the nuns and their students.

The site is located on a central street in Dalby and is easily accessible on foot, with parking available near the property. The grounds contain several buildings and memorials that are best explored in the morning when light highlights the architecture.

The grounds feature several religious monuments including a chapel with a crucifix statue and a Virgin Mary grotto that document the devotional practices of the Sisters. These spaces allow visitors to understand the spiritual routines that shaped daily convent life.