Travel Genius

There are more than 20 painted churches across Texas. These churches are mainly located in west of Houston or East of San Antonio in the area of Schulenburg. Built by 19th century immigrants to this rough but promising territory, these churches transport the visitor back to a different era, a different way of life. Inscriptions on the walls read not in English, but in the mother tongue of those who built them: German and Czech.

Theses churches have arched Gothic Revival windows, facades clad in white frame siding or in stone and lone steeples risings. Nearly every surface of the painted churches is covered with bright painting: exuberant murals radiate from the apse, elaborate foliage trails the walls, wooden columns and baseboards shine like polished marble in shades of green and gray.

So, here we will tell you about some painted churches of Texas.

1. St. Mary’s Catholic Church
This church was built from 1906-1908. This church contains beautifully painted pictures all over the building. The architect of this church was Leo Dielmann and the artists were Doneckar and sons and Oidtmann Studios. The elaborate faux marble columns and ceilings make this church one of the ones not to miss. The grayish blue stone capping the buttresses and accenting the brick was quarried from the nearby town of Muldoon.

2. St Mary’s Parish in Praha
This one of the most elaborate of the Texas painted churches. The town of Praha is somewhat of a ghost town, but the church is definitely worth the visit. Prior to the coming of the Czechs, Praha was called Mulberry by the Anglo settlers. The ceilings of this church are painted and there is a lot of ornate wood work.

3. Ascension Catholic Church in Moravia
This is an old church built by old settlers. The ceiling is painted with murals as well as the walls. This is one of the most elegantly painted churches of Texas.

4. The Dubina Catholic Church
The Dubina Catholic Church is just west of Weimar off old Hwy 90.You will find simple stenciling and framed Stations of the Cross at the Dubina Church. This church can be viewed from inside the front doors, however full access is limited to touring groups and of course, services on Sunday.

5. St. John the Baptist Catholic church
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church opened in 1890. Destroyed by the hurricane of 1909, the church was rebuilt. It burned shortly thereafter and had to be rebuilt a second time. This church has stained-glass window details and the banisters and newel show the detailed veining in the faux-finish marble.

Other painted churches of Texas are St Cyril and Methodius in Dubina. So, visit these painted churches to enjoy a unique as well as knowledgeable experience.