A couple of years ago the Senior Adults of First Baptist Church Richardson took a tour of the painted churches around Schulenburg, Texas.  We didn’t get to go.  Friends returned raving about how beautiful the churches were.  I wanted to go.  It was on my “Want to Do List”.

On our Texas tour, Ever-Lovin’ and I got to see four of the painted Churches of Texas, and I was not disappointed.  The outsides of the churches are rather plain and unassuming, but inside is another matter.

When European immigrants came to Central Texas in the late 1800’s they were use to worshiping in elaborate churches.  There was no way for them to richly appoint their little churches, so they elaborately painted them to resemble churches from their homelands.

St. Mary’s Church in Praha was the first church we visited.

I never imagined this little church would be so ornate with sculptures and beautiful alters.

The Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church is at Ammannsville.  It is said that a European drifter painted this church.

Stenciling, free hand painting and marbling techniques were used to decorate the sanctuaries.

The Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Dubina is gorgeous.  Since we were not on a guided tour, we had to view the church through these doors.  It was worth seeing – even from a distance.

Beautiful.  It is hard to believe that in the 1950’s all of these walls were covered with white paint.  Restoration of these churches has been outstanding.

St. Mary’s Church at High Hill is considered to be the Queen of painted churches.  It took my breath away.

Inside there are amazing stained glass windows.

The ceilings are intricately painted, and the columns appear to be marble, but they are wooden.  Faux painting was used to create the marble effect.

This is another church that had to have layers of paint removed during restoration.  The ceiling panels here are canvas.

Perhaps my favorite images were the lamb with angels attending it.

We were encouraged to worship while in the churches, and I found myself praying and also praising God for people that loved him so much that they wanted to provide beautiful places of worship.  If you get a chance to visit these painted churches, please do.

Blessings to you and yours,