Make Plans to Visit the Painted Churches
A short trip from Houston are some amazing historical gems you must plan to visit. Which gems am I thinking of? The Painted Churches of East Texas. These churches are Catholic houses of worship, built in the early 19th century by Czech, German, and Polish settlers among others. Some of the finest examples are concentrated in an area just north and west of Houston.
The Painted Churches include:
· St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fredericksburg. Built in 1908 with Gothic features including buttresses and the corner tower.
· St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Serbin. With a white clapboard and belltower look outside and a brightly painted interior.
· St. Mary’s Church Of The Assumption in Praha. The stone chapel was built 1895.
· St. Mary’s Church in High Hill. Constructed in 1906 with a distinctive Gothic Revival feel.
· St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ammansville. The first church was razed by a hurricane in 1909 with the second church burning down not long after the rebuild and third and final rebuild remains standing today. The ornately painted interior is stunning.
· Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Dubina. The original building succumbed to 1909 hurricane. The church was rebuilt and completed around 1912. Gorgeous stamp-stencils are a treasure found inside.
· Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sweet Home. This Gothic Revival style brick church was built in 1919 with breath-taking painted murals inside.
· Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church is in Shiner. This more recent church was built in 1920 and painted with murals in 1950.
· Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church in Moravia. Another church rebuilt after being destroyed in the 1909 hurricane. It’s home to one of the best preserved and most untouched painted church murals, presumed to be painted in 1923.
These churches are some of the finest examples of European Gothic architecture. Each church on the tour houses beautifully painted interiors. It’s easy to forget you’re not walking around a building located in Europe. The craftsmanship shows the talent and skills the immigrants brought with them when they relocated to the beautiful Texas countryside to begin their new lives in America.
An Amazing Day Trip Destination
Feeling the urge to take a day trip to see something unique? Gather the family, pile into the car, and take the I-10 West. It won’t take too long to reach Fayette County — heading for Schulenburg — before you catch the outline of a white frame church in the distance.
Make your first stop at the Chamber of Commerce in Schulenburg for maps, information, and access to solo or guided tours. The Painted Churches are located in the communities of Dubina, High Hill, Praha, and Ammansville.
These unassuming churches behold stunning beauty inside that will make your breath catch. The churches remain active and hold Saturday and Sunday services for parishioners and visitors. Tours take place Monday through Saturday from 9am-4pm. To book a tour or for more information please call 979–743–4513.
Don’t forget to walk the streets of Schulenburg to take in all this quaint farming town has to offer. There are gems to find around each corner.
Nearby Czech Heritage
Want to take in a bit more learning about Texas’s Czech Heritage? Head north to La Grange for a stop at The Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center where you’ll find an array of historical and cultural exhibits. The weekly newspaper, Nasinec, founded in 1914, is still published in the Czech language for those who want to keep up with local events in the old tongue. The center also includes a museum with a genealogical section and a one-and-a-half-acre setting for restored and preserved historical homes, a hospoda (tavern), an ampitheatre, and farm buildings. It’s both walkable and drivable and provides scheduled tours for interested groups.
I delight in introducing others to the treasures found in our local communities and nearby region. It’s my pleasure to help you make your home close to local history, minutes from the metroplex, or in the solitude of the countryside. Let’s talk about where you’d like to live. Schedule an appointment today.
Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers every year and was the #1 Top Producing agent in 2019 citywide. Sara is an American Dream TV Power Player who shares Houston real estate news with television viewers. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.
