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The Painted Churches Road Trip

By chet | February 16, 2018

The Painted Churches of Texas date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, when Czech and German immigrants came to Texas to start a new life. They built dozens of churches across Texas, that though seemingly ordinary from the outside, hold magnificent masterpieces inside.

This road trip will take you through some of the most famous Painted Churches in Schulenburg and across Fayette County, where significant Texas history meets incredible works of art to create an experience unlike any other in the state. Please remember that these are places of worship, and many of them still host congregations each week, so be respectful. You can find out more about when these churches are opened to visitors at the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce’s website .

Here’s the Map!

Destination 1: St. Paul Lutheran – Serbin, TX

This church, built in 1870 looks like an ordinary church outside, but opens up to be a truly breathtaking display of marble white walls, cerulean detailing and intricately designed columns. Yet, its beauty is not all it boasts… Many say that its pulpit, which is located 20 feet off the ground on the second level of the church, is the tallest in Texas!

Destination 2: St. John the Baptist Church – Ammannsville, TX

In Ammannsville, you’ll find the Painted Church that’s known as “the pink one.” It’s pretty enough on the outside, with antique wooden details and stained glass windows, but inside are pink detailed walls, uniquely domed ceilings and towering alters. The current building, which was built in 1919, is actually the third church that was built there — the first two were destroyed, one by a hurricane and the other by a fire. But it’s so breathtaking, you’ll see exactly why the third time’s a charm on this one!

Destination 3: St. Mary’s Church High Hill – Schulenburg, TX

Your next stop is just across town, and is known as “Queen of the Painted Churches.” Every inch of this church is decorated, from the painstakingly intricate designs on the wooden alter to the towering columns topped with life-sized Biblical figures. This very grand church was built in 1906 and painted in 1912.

Destination 4: St. Cyril and Methodius Church – Dubina, TX

This church is truly breathtaking, with light blue interior and glittering gold stars scattered across the ceiling…but it wasn’t always this way. The building was built in 1909 and the original artwork was painted. In 1950s, the angelic designs were covered with white paint, but after people started noticing the faded original paintings on the wall, the community came together to recreate the painting. Using stencils found in the church, as well as adding new designs, the church was transformed it into the vibrant work of art it is today!

Destination 5: St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption – Praha, TX

The old wooden beams of this church built in 1895 are painted to resemble the golden crown moldings and dazzling architecture of a grand European cathedral, with white altars that almost look like crystal in the light. Though the paintings have faded over time, when the sunbeams dance across the stained glass windows into the church, the entire hall glistens just like that of the St. Peter’s Basilica.

Want more of the Painted Churches of Texas? Check out this segment from our episode in  Schulenburg, TX!

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Painted Churches

If  managed properly, this 42-mile ride will take all day! Fayette County in southeast Central Texas boasts rich historic and cultural ties along with scenic rural roads, especially during wildflower season. Bypass the bypass to enjoy unique shops and eateries in La Grange. Visit the town’s beautifully restored 1891 courthouse, the Chamber of Commerce office in the old county jail, and the Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites. German and Czech immigrants brought to Texas a tradition of elaborately painting and stenciling the interiors of their churches. Our route stops at four of the best Painted Churches. Step inside and be amazed at Ammannsville, Dubina, High Hill, and Praha. Come back another time to the community halls for cultural celebrations featuring plenty of great food, cold beer, and oompah music.

 By Tom Wiley

Along The Way

AMMANNSVILLE

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

7745 Mensik Rd. 979-743-3117

SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS CHURCH

NATIVITY OF MARY, BLESSED VIRGIN CATHOLIC CHURCH

2833 FM 2672 stmary-highhill.com

BACK PORCH BBQ

1602 N. Jefferson St. 979-968-1580 thebackporchbbq.com

MONUMENT HILL & KREISCHE BREWERY STATE HISTORIC SITES

414 TX State Loop 92 979-968-5658 tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/monument-hill-kreische-brewery

WEIKEL’S STORE AND BAKERY

2247 TX Hwy. 71 W. 979-968-9413 weikels.com

ST. MARY’S CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION

821 FM 1295 stmaryspraha.org

SCHULENBURG

PAINTED CHURCHES TOUR

schulenburgchamber.org/tours/churches

On The Road

1. SPEEDY STOP U.S. Hwy. 77 S., Schulenburg 979-743-3138

Grab a Bite

1. FRANK’S RESTAURANT 11 N. Kessler Ave., Schulenburg 979-743-3555

2. INA’S RESTAURANT 30 East Ave., Schulenburg 979-743-5111

Stay The Night

1. BEST WESTERN 600 E. TX Hwy. 71 Bypass, La Grange 979-968-6800

2. HATTIE’S HAUS 12020 FM 1383, Schulenburg 979-250-1735

1. FREYBURG UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FM 2238, Freyburg

2. POLKA-SENGELMANN HALL 531 N. Main St., Schulenburg 979-743-2300 sengelmannhall.com

3. STANZEL MODEL AIRCRAFT MUSEUM 311 Baumgarten St.,Schulenburg 979-743-6559 stanzelmuseum.org

Only In Texas

1. CEDAR CEMETERY 3701 FM 609, La Grange 979-247-4260 Best bluebonnets in spring!

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Schulenburg, Texas Attractions

• The Gus Cranz Mansion

Schulenburg, Texas Forum

Round Top – The Painted Churches of Fayette County

There’s no more beautiful evidence of Texas’ rich Czech and German heritage than the four painted churches of Fayette County . The unassuming exteriors of these churches give way to lavishly decorated interiors you’d expect to find nestled in the streets of Europe. There are over 20 of these ornately decorated churches sprinkled across Texas, but you can visit four just outside of Round Top in an area known as Little Bohemia.

Start at the town of Ammannsville, where you’ll find St. John the Baptist Church, then head to Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Dubinam followed by St. Mary’s Catholic Church in High Hill. Round out your expedition at St. Mary’s Parish in Praha and head back to Round Top in just under two hours.

Round Top – Where to Eat During the Antiques Fair

Round Top – Round Top Antique Fair

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The Painted Churches of Fayette County

Fayette county, texas, st. cyril's methodius catholic church, dubina texas fayette county - established 1856.

The Original Church Building was destroyed in 1909 when hit by a tropical storm. The Church was rebuilt in 1909-1911. Rumor has it much of the Ornate painting was covered over with white paint in the early 1950's. This coat never quiet covered the original painting so the parishioners began removing the white paint and restoring the original in the mid 1980's, using photograph's from before the mistake. The windows in this church are not stained glass like many of the others but they allow a great deal of natural light in to enhance the Sky-blue ceiling and ornate painting that is in the church.

Map Link: St. Cyril and Methodius Church

St John the Baptist Catholic Church

Ammonsville texas - fayette county established 1890.

This church was founded in 1890 Destroyed by a hurricane in 1909 rebuilt then burned down in 1917 to be rebuilt again. Fortunately, they kept rebuilding this church. It is a more open church since it does not have supporting columns for the ceiling. They were able to save some of the statues from the church that burned down to use in the 1919 edition of this church.

Map Link: Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church

High hill, texas - fayette county established 1861.

This Church was rebuilt in 1906 using the stained-glass windows from the original church. The effect of the Stained glass in this church is really quiet overwhelming it is referred to as the queen of the painted churches and I agree.

Map Link: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church

St Mary's Catholic Church

Praha, texas - fayette county - established 1865.

The Current Building was built in 1895. The original Structure was just a small room. The town of Praha lost nine men in World War II making it the community with the largest per capita loss due to world war II in the country. There is a monument to these men, and inside the monument is a plaque with the words for the bugle call TAPS.

Map Link: St. Mary's Catholic Church

• Painted Church Website

The Tour takes about 2 or 3 hours, depending on what your lunch plans are. Recommended place for lunch.

• Momma's at Senglemann Hall - Schulenburg
• Ermis Double E Grocery - Fydek

17 Apl 2019 - Photos and content by: Matthew McSpadden

Update: 10 April 2020

The Painted Churches of Texas

When the early Texas settlers arrived from Europe in the mid-1800’s, many of them brought their Czech, German, Wendish, and Eastern European cultural heritage with them, including their Christian faith. They built their new churches from wood, but they designed them to appear like their old Gothic churches from home. They painted the walls, altars, and arches in colorful patterns and beautiful images. These buildings are now called the Painted Churches of Texas . They have been miraculously well-preserved and stand today as a work of living history.

In 1984 , 15 painted churches were listed on the National Register of Historic Places  for their unique style of religious art. The painted churches and the people who built them have captured the interest of architects, designers, historians, and tourists.

In April 2018, my husband, Ralph Saenz and I went on a guided tour offered by the Chamber of Commerce of Shulenberg . The guided tour includes four Painted Churches located in the communities of Dubina, High Hill , Praha , and Ammannsville . You can call (979)743-4514 to schedule your own tour.   Afterward, we drove on our own to Shiner, Texas to visit the brewery and painted church there.

Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church (Dubina, Texas)

Painted Churches of Texas

• July 12, 2015
• Author & Photographer: Teri Didjurgis

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. ( Disclosures )

The Painted Churches of Texas are a sight to be seen. Go inside a plain white steeple church and you will find a European styled painted church of high gothic windows, tall spires, elaborately painted interiors with brilliant colors and friezes created by the German and Czech settlers in America.

Painted Churches of Texas History

In the mid 1800’s, hundreds of German and Czech immigrants left Europe due to poverty in search of a new dream and landed in Central Texas.  These communities embraced America and the promise of their new future, while still preserving their traditional values, culture, food and faith of their homelands.  Each community of ~600 families came together to build their community church – purchasing the statues and donating them to the churches. They decorated the interiors with colors and symbols to remind them of their homelands.

Fifteen of these churches survive today and are on the National Register of Historic Places. You can visit many of them during Sunday service and four of them, near the town of Schulenburg , are accessible during the week on guided or self-guided Painted Churches of Texas tour.

Where is Schulenburg?

Schulenburg is a small town off the I-10 freeway just about mid-point between Houston and San Antonio.  The town is accessible for daytrips from both Houston, San Antonio and Austin via a 1.5 hour drive.

Ammansville: St. John the Baptist Church

Google Address: 7850 Mensik Rd, La Grange, TX 78945

If you are heading down from Austin, this will be the first church you encounter.  The town of Ammansville was once a bustling town with with three cotton gins, a general store, school, blacksmith, doctor’s office, pharmacy and saloon.

This is the third church on this site. The original, built in 1909 was destroyed by a storm, the next built in 1917 was destroyed by a fire. This third version, built in 1919, shows the tenacity of the community to have a community center.  This church has a beautiful dusty rose interior. The congregation is both German and Czech so there is blend of styles. The Germans added decorative elements from floor to ceiling. However the windows are clear with only stained glass at the top – Czech prefer clear glass to let the light in.

As you look at the pews, you will notice little clips on all the pews on the right side, which were for the men’s hats. All the men sat on the right, the woman on the left. But if you think about it from the priests perspective, the woman are right. God knows something right?

This is the scene across the street and you can see how these churches were the central meeting point of the farm communities.

Dubina: Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church

Location: 4148 FM 1383, Dubina or Saint Cyril Church Schulenburg, TX 78956 (Make sure you don’t get the Shiner TX one)

Dubina is known as the “Mother of Czechs in Texas.” Settled in 1856, it was the first community solely of Czechs.  Many of the old-timers in this area actually prefer to be called Bohemians as Czecklsolvakia did not exist until after the war. The region of Europe where they came from was called Bohemia (Sudetenland by the Germans if you remember your WWII history).

The fact that the church exists today is a testament to the community. The first church was erected in 1877 by the Dubina community with an iron cross on top forged by a freed slave named Tom Lee. The first church was destroyed by a hurricane and re-built in 1912 with the salvaged iron cross back on top.  In 1952, the diocese thought that all the color in the church was distracting and white-washed over. Thankfully in 1983, Ed Janecka, a local resident and Fayette County judge has led a group of local residents to restore it.

Today you can see the brilliant blue ceiling with gold stars, floral stenciling and hand-painted frescoes of angels. The Bohemians prefer to the let the sunshine in and the sanctuary is very bright. It seems all the more special because it was handcrafted by multiple generations.

This church has a locked gate just inside the front doors, so you can only look from afar unless with a tour group, but it’s still spectacular to see all the colors and light in this unique painted church.

On the grounds of the church, you will see the outhouses with Czech writings and also the former corner store.

High Hill: St. Mary's Catholic Church

Google Address: 2833 FM 2672, Schulenburg, TX 78956

Built in 1906, this painted church nicknamed the “queen” is the crown jewel of the painted churches after a 2011 renovation. The German Texans built this red-brick church in the Gothic Revival style and filled it with stained glass and statues of saints.

It also has an elaborate altar, a chandelier, a pipe organ, Stations of the Cross imported from Italy and a painted reproduction of Michelangelo’s “Pietà.” The apse dome is awash in a periwinkle blue, accented in gold leaf with trompe l’oeil and faux marble was painted with turkey feathers.

Eighteen stained-glass windows purchased from Germany portray biblical scenes. Each has the name of the German family who purchased it. Look carefully and there is a lot of interesting symbols in the glass.

A local parishioner came and spent 20 minutes talking to me about the church and he explained that St. Mary’s also received a mid-century white wash and the community has spent a lot of time and money ($400K) to repair it.  The bottom section is still covered over and will be revealed at a later time (You can see a part of it by the Pietà). The ceiling is actually painted canvas that has been taken down cleaned up and replaced onto the timber beams.

The vestibule has scripture in German. The scripture on the north wall is Psalm 47:10: “Wir haben emptangen, o herr, deine Barmherzigkeit im Innern deines Tempels.” Translation: “We have received O Lord Your divine mercy within Your temple.” 

The scripture on the south wall is Psalm 42:4: “Ich werde eingehem zu Gottes Altar will dich loben mein Gott.” Translation: I will enter into the altar of God and will praise my God.” The Psalms are said to be from an 1832 Deutch translation of a Volgate Roman Catholic Bible. The text was restored exactly as it was originally painted, along with all of the original art and stenciling.

The church has today ~85 parishioners. Their main event is a parish picnic the Sunday during Memorial Day weekend, with plenty of German food and performances by German and Czech bands.

Praha: St. Mary's Church of the Assumption

Google Location: 821 FM 1295, Flatonia

This church was closed for restoration when I visited in 2016 and I was unable to go inside. St Mary’s Praha was built in 1895 by the Czech community who settled here and named their community Praha (Prague). This church has a stone exterior. The inside is a stunning blue-and-white checkerboard floor leads to the apse with wildflowers and angels painted to resemble the Garden of Eden. St. Mary’s will reopen August 15 on its festival day “Prazka Pout” (Homecoming). At many of the churches, you can see their community center (aka Bier Garten) across from the church.

Piano Bridge

Down a dirt road 1/2 mile from the Dubina church, you can find the Piano Bridge. This 1885 iron bridge is one of the few remaining in the country. Built by King Bridge Company of Cleveland, the bridge looks like a piano-wire truss. The locals say it is named after the musical sound that it makes when you drive over it. As the sign said “weak bridge”, I decided to just take a look and walked over the bridge.

Hostyn Grotto

Google Location: 936 FM2436, La Grange, TX 78945

One other religious stop to make is to Queen of the Holy Rosary Church perched over the La Grange valley. A grotto built in the 1920s replicates the Shrine of Miracles in Lourdes, France. Workers used remnants of an old stone wall and rocks quarried from the nearby Colorado River.  When the grotto was complete in the fall of 1925, 17 priests and 7,000 people attended the dedication ceremony. You will also see two Civil War-era cannons honor a father and son who fought for opposing sides—the father a Confederate, and the son a Union soldier.

(Click below for more information)

• Information: A full description of all fifteen Painted Churches of Texas on the National Register of Historic Places. You can also view additional descriptions and the location of the additional 11 churches on the 3rd layer of the map above.
• Self-Guided Tour: You can visit Ammansville, High Hill and Praha on your own. Dubina’s church has a gate that you can only look through. The Chamber has a $4 map but I found them all on Google Maps. See below
• Paid Tour: The Greater Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce offers guided tours of up to six local churches at a cost of $10–$15 per person, plus a $40 gratuity for the guide. Participants caravan in their own vehicles. Reservations (two weeks’ notice is required) can be made by calling 1-866-504-5294 or by completing an online form. (Last tour begins at 3pm)

Traveler Notes & Tips

• Availability: The painted churches are active congregations and, thus, can generally be visited after services on Sundays. Some of the churches may be open to the public at other times, but there is no formal schedule. The churches are closed during Holy Week and you may want to call ahead to avoid funerals, etc.
• Clothing: There was no posted dress code, but remember you are walking into mostly Catholic churches. Please be respectful.
• Sun Protection: It' Texas and the sun is hot. You will mostly be in cars, museum and churches but remember sun protection.
• Water: Another heat warning. Texas sun and humidity will zap you. Make sure to hydrate.​
• Photography: The churches are beautiful to photograph. I did not see any tripod restrictions and the locals were extremely friendly.

 Check out what’s in my camera bag ?

BlueSkyTraveler visited the Painted Churches of Texas on an independent trip.

Painted Churches of Texas Map

• Click here for the list of stops

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100 Miles or Less: The "Painted" Churches You May Have Missed

By Katharine Shilcutt December 15, 2015

The original Hostyn Hill in the Czech Republic.

Image: Shutterstock

Destination: Ellinger Distance: 85 miles Driving time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

T he original Hostyn Hill is less of a hill, by Texas standards, and more of a mountain. Its peak sits half a mile high over the rolling landscape of Moravia, one of the Eastern European regions that—along with Bohemia and Silesia—are the original, historic regions of the modern-day Czech Republic.

Hostyn Hill in Moravia has been an important pilgrimage site for Catholics over the years, who come to offer prayers to the Virgin Mary at the medieval chapel on its lush hilltop. It's here, the legend goes, that Czechs battling Tartars in the 13th century prayed to Mary for water to quench their thirst; in return, Mary sent a powerful torrent of water that beat back the Tartars and allowed for a Czech victory that day. The spring that flows from Hostyn Hill today is often called the "Moravian Lourdes," and is visited with much the same fervor that the French pilgrimage spot inspires.

St. Mary is the oldest Catholic church in Fayette County.

Image: Katharine Shilcutt

The Hostyn Hill in Texas doesn't provide the same offer of healing waters as its namesake, nor does it provide quite the same stunning views of an Old World countryside, though it is a pilgrimage worth making on its own merits. There, you'll find another chapel named for the mother of Christ: St. Mary Catholic Church , the oldest Catholic church in Fayette County, where the most beautiful views are tucked away inside.

The so-called " painted churches " of Schulenburg, 19th-century structures built by Czech and German settlers that look austere from the outside but boast brilliant-hued frescos and gold-framed icons inside, are far more famous in this region of Central Texas, but there are additional churches within Fayette County worth closer examination.

At St. Mary, which was first built atop Hostyn Hill (then called, simply, Live Oak Hill) in 1861 and rebuilt in 1906 after an Easter Sunday fire destroyed the original structure, the main attraction is the gilt-laden altar with insets that hold colorful statues of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and several saints.

The gilded altar at St. Mary is set against a simple blue ceiling.

Image: Courtesy St. Mary Catholic Church

In comparison to the intricate frescoes at, say, Nativity of Mary, Blessed Virgin Catholic Church ( also on its own high hill ), the golden altar at St. Mary on Hostyn Hill glitters all the more brightly against a simple, azure ceiling the color of a summer sky.

Outside, in the immaculately manicured grounds that surround the wooden church, you'll find a Czech cemetery, various statuary and altars, and uninterrupted, 360-degree views of the beginnings of Hill Country.

Coming and going from Hostyn Hill is a treat in and of itself, an idyllic drive down a winding country road that's sheltered by leafy oaks and colorful crepe myrtles in warmer months. And back down the hill in Fayetteville, you'll find paintings of an entirely different nature than the frescoes that decorate most of the region's painted churches.

Altarpieces by famous Moravian artist Ignaz Johann Berger once hung in the original St. John the Baptist when it was first built in 1870.

Image: Courtesy St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Over a decade ago, a priest cleaning out a small storage room inside St. John the Baptist Catholic Church  in downtown Fayetteville  made a discovery worthy of Antiques Roadshow : a painting by Moravian artist Ignaz Johann Berger, famous for the Catholic altarpieces he created in the late 18th century. More of Berger's gilded paintings were eventually found in other storage units throughout the area and sent off for restoration. Today, the Old World masterpieces hang throughout the beautiful mid-century modern church, itself a restoration of the original St. John the Baptist that was first built in 1870. Handouts near the entrance to the church detail the history behind the paintings, which were gifted to the church from the Czech homeland over 100 years ago and hung in the original structure before it was rebuilt in the 1950s, for a self-guided tour.

Fresh, hot, sweet kolaches are the main draw at Hruska's.

Image: Courtesy Hruska's

On the second Sunday of every month, St. Mary and St. John the Baptist collaborate on a barbecue to benefit the Knights of Columbus, with smoked chicken and sausage for sale fresh off the pits behind St. John from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Smart travelers know to call ahead and reserve their barbecue by the pound, but if you're headed to Ellinger and Fayetteville on one of the three other weekends a month when the Knights of Columbus barbecue isn't taking place, there's always Hruska's .

Like those Moravian paintings, Hruska's (pronounced "h-ROOSH-kuhz") itself underwent a major restoration a few years ago. The facelift took the family-owned bakery from a cramped convenience store fronting Highway 71 serving homemade Czech pastries to a destination in its own right, one that demands a pit stop for even the most determined Houston-to-Austin road trippers.

Today, the 103-year-old bakery turns out several hundred trays of sweet kolaches and sausage-stuffed klobasneky per day. Munch on a few for lunch but don't forget to take a half-dozen home with you before you head back to Houston; there's nothing worse than letting it slip to friends or family that you stopped at Hruska's and didn't bring any kolaches back for them.

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Home » North America » USA » Texas » The Intriguing Beauty of the Painted Churches of Texas

The Intriguing Beauty of the Painted Churches of Texas

By Author Laura Longwell

Posted on Last updated: January 29, 2022

There’s something special about a country church. The sweet smell of a well-used hymnal, the creak of a pew that’s hosted generations of families, the ever-present register board showing last week’s attendance and offering amount. Often, they’re simple—wood and some basic stained glass. At least that was the aesthetic I was used to as a child at my grandmother’s church in her tiny East Texas town, population 113. It turns out that while the spirit inside is quite similar, not all country churches look the same. Some of them—like the painted churches of Texas—are absolute works of art.

Here’s a look at five of the prettiest painted churches and how they came to be.

The Artworks

The artists, inside the painted churches of texas, st. john the baptist, saints cyril and methodius church, st. mary’s (high hill), st. mary’s church of the assumption, st. mary’s (fredericksburg), visiting the churches.

Across the landscape of the Texas Hill Country, there are 20 unassuming churches a lot like the one of my childhood. On the outside, they’re white clapboard or brick. In general, they’re in unassuming towns. Sometimes in unincorporated areas with scarcely another building in sight.

But when the doors open, there’s another world inside.

Bright blue skies, shocks of pink, swirling ivy, shimmering gold, life-sized statues. The decorated interior of these magnificent buildings is a festival of colors and motifs. They’re painted with the most brilliant pigments and elaborate faux finishes. There is so much happening that the eye almost doesn’t know where to look, and, yet, it’s never garish or gaudy.

Everything in the dazzling churches was done by hand, and much of the work is 100 years old. The Czech and German immigrants who filled these pews raised money and donated materials and labor for the construction and the artwork. They oversaw–and sometimes participated in–the hand stenciling, tracing, and marbling, choosing just the right hues and accents to make these places feel even more like home.

When most people think of Texas, Central European culture does not come to mind. But in the 1840s, German and Czech immigrants began to arrive throughout the region and settle in an area that’s roughly a 100-mile radius around Austin —a huge swath of land deep in the heart of Texas.

In search of cheap land and opportunities in the newly-christened state, they came via Bremen from northwest Germany and the provinces of Moravia and Bohemia in what is now the Czech Republic. The trip was arduous and often took as long as four months. The Czech and German immigrants left everything behind for the promise of a new, better life.

In Texas, the settlers tried to preserve their heritage, food, and values. They named their new towns Moravia, Praha (“Prague” in Czech), Weimar, and Fredericksburg after Prince Frederick of Prussia, paying homage to their homelands in middle-of-nowhere Texas. They formed civic societies and built schools to maintain their language and customs.

As they prospered, the settlers sacrificed and saved to build new places of worship that reminded them of their homeland. Having a church was a milestone showing that they had succeeded. They rejoiced, decorating the interior in the sumptuous colors and designs of what they had left behind. It did not matter that paint was used to achieve the effect of carvings, marble, and gold—the churches were theirs, and they were beautiful.

The 20 painted churches of Texas, all inscribed in the National Register of Historic Places, are scattered throughout Central Texas. Four of these lovely buildings are located near each other and are easily accessible to the public. Although they’re all in different tiny towns (like Dubina, population 44), they are informally known as the painted churches of Schulenburg, which is the largest town nearby.

About 80 miles southeast of the capital, visiting the churches near Schulenberg makes for an easy day trip from Austin . On the opposite side of Austin, Fredericksburg is also home to a painted church that is easy to visit most days of the week. Take a look inside these five sensational buildings, which can be visited in a fun road trip across Central Texas .

Google address: 7850 Mensik Rd in La Grange

Arriving from Austin, the first painted church I visited was a surprise in dusty rose. The entire sanctuary of St. John the Baptist in Ammannsville is painted a deep shade of pink, accented by pink and green ivy and designs. While the color itself is attention-getting, it is also a magnificent canvas for the many statues around the sanctuary.

St. John the Baptist, built in 1919, is the third church in this spot. The first, built in 1890, was destroyed by a tornado in 1909, and the second burned down in 1917. Rebuilding a third time shows just how important the presence of a church was to the small town. It could not have been easy to raise the funds three times in less than three decades.

The Gothic Revival building reflects the design aesthetic of both the congregation’s German and Czech members. Floor-to-ceiling decorative elements pleased the Germans, and the mostly clear windows pleased the Czechs because they allowed light in. Several of the original statues and a cross saved from the fire pay tribute to the past and the resilience of the community.

Just outside, the cemetery is clearly European-influenced and reminded me of our day at the famous Bone Church in Kutna Hora near Prague. Great marble and metal crosses rise beyond eye-level. Many of the old tombstones have inscriptions in Czech and include birthplaces a continent away.

Google address: Location: 4148 FM 1383 in Dubina

From the moment I pulled up to Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, everything felt familiar. The crunch of the gravel and the white church standing alone just off the road are characteristic of many small towns in Texas. For a minute, I was afraid it would be closed because there were no other cars around.

Despite being alone, I was relieved to find the door unlocked. It opened to reveal the bluest indoor sky I’ve ever seen.

The path to this remarkable work of art was a long one. Settled in 1856, Dubina is known as the “Mother of Czechs in Texas.” Its first church followed 21 years later but was destroyed by a hurricane in 1909. The current one replaced the original in 1912.

The simple exterior of Saints Cyril and Methodius is topped with the same iron cross that graced the steeple of its predecessor—a work forged by Tom Lee, a former slave who lived in the area. Inside, the bright colors of the sanctuary have been restored to their original glory. The designs had been white-washed over in the 1950s when the diocese thought they were too distracting, but a restoration effort in 1983 brought them back to life.

Today you can see the blue vaulted ceiling gleaming with gold stars, floral stenciling, and angels watching from high above. Even without the lights on, the interior feels illuminated thanks to the basic windows that let in all the light possible.

At the edge of the entryway, a locked gate keeps visitors outside the sanctuary when it’s not in use. Even with the limited access, it’s still a spectacular view.

The easiest way to reach the next stop is by taking Piano Bridge Road (clearly visible from the church). Just one-half mile down the road, the Piano Bridge is one of only a few remaining iron bridges in the US. It dates from 1885 and reportedly got its name because of the noise it made when cars drove over it. A renovation has silenced the bridge’s music and despite the “weak bridge” sign, it is well-used by locals.

Google address: 2833 FM 2672 in Schulenburg

St. Mary’s Catholic Church in High Hill is breathtaking. It feels like every inch of this red-brick building is painted, gilded, or adorned in some way. At just six miles from Saints Cyril and Methodius Church, visiting here is a must, even if you’re short on time.

Nicknamed the “Queen of the Painted Churches” in Fayette County, St. Mary’s dates from 1906. Its abundant paintings were added in 1912, and a 2011 renovation restored them to their original glory.

The German community in High Hill built this large Gothic Revival-style church to accommodate its ever-expanding population and filled it with intricate stained glass from Germany, outstanding statues, and remarkable paintings. In addition to its elaborate altar, the church also features a painted reproduction of Michelangelo’s Pietà sculpture. Even the vestibule is decorated—Bible verses in German trace the walls.

One of the most unusual things about St. Mary’s is that the light blue wash and scrollwork that contribute to the majesty of the sanctuary are not actually painted on the ceiling. Instead, the painting was done on canvas that was attached to the wooden ceiling. The canvas, which gives the appearance of vaulting, and a faux marble finish on the columns add other interesting visual elements.

Google address: 821 FM 1295 in Flatonia

As with the other unique churches, the exterior of St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption in Praha gives no indication of the beauty inside. From its carillon that rings three times daily to its shimmering statues and pulpit, it is distinctly unlike my grandmother’s country church in every way.

Built in 1895, St. Mary’s is one of the oldest painted churches and the first Catholic church in Texas with a predominantly Czech congregation. With over 200 families in the area, the parishioners had already outgrown their two previous chapels when they decided to build the yellow stone church.

St. Mary’s was designed in the popular Gothic Revival style of the time. The flowers, palms, and stars that grace the ceiling and walls were painted by Swiss fresco artist Gottfried Flurry. His trompe l’oeil designs mimic vaults, relief, and marble that would be seen in the ancient churches of Europe .

Like the other painted churches, St. Mary’s has an array of statues of saints and sconces featuring the stations of the cross. The true star of the building is its beautiful white altar gilded in 24 karat gold.

Although Praha is now essentially a ghost town, its population expands by as much as 5000 once a year. Every August 15th, St. Mary’s hosts the parish’s annual homecoming for residents, former residents, and generations of extended families.

Google address: 304 W San Antonio St. in Fredericksburg

About 80 miles west of Austin is another of the painted churches of Texas, St. Mary’s in Fredericksburg. The setting of this St. Mary’s could not be more different than that of the Schulenburg churches—Fredericksburg is a charming town of 10,000 residents that’s full of award-winning wineries , shops, outdoor activities, and lots of other fun things to do . It’s one of my favorite places in Texas.

St. Mary’s began in 1846 with a group of German settlers, and like its counterpart in Praha, quickly outgrew its original building. The new building was designed in 1908 by San Antonio architect Leo M.J. Dielmann (he also designed High Hill). The Fredericksburg community raised $40,000 (equivalent to $1M today) to build their stone Gothic Revival building.

Almost no expense was spared on St. Mary’s, whose design incorporates a corner tower, buttresses, and other Gothic features along with stained glass from Germany. The church still has its original pipe organ, which has since been completely electrified. Stenciling was added in 1936 along with paintings of the 12 apostles throughout the sanctuary.

All the churches conduct regular Mass Services, which are generally Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning (daily at St. Mary’s, Fredericksburg). They are also open during the day for self-guided tours. Many have pamphlets that provide background on their history. For a more in-depth experience, the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce runs tours of the four churches in that area.

Laura Longwell is an award-winning travel blogger and photographer. Since founding Travel Addicts in 2008, she has written hundreds of articles that help over 3 million people a year get the most out of their travel. In that time, she has visited nearly 60 countries on 5 continents, often returning to favorite destinations over and over again. She has a deep love of history, uncovering unexpected attractions, and trying all the good food a place has to offer.

In addition to Travel Addicts, Laura runs a site about her hometown of Philadelphia—Guide to Philly—which chronicles unique things to do and places to see around southeastern Pennsylvania. Her travel tips and advice appear across the web.

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Thomas Mitchell Rosenquist

Tuesday 10th of January 2023

Truely, these churches are Texas treasures!!! They just don't build and decorate churches like this anymore!! Please be sure and make a donation to the upkeep and restoration of any churches you visit!!! It is an investment in the preservation of Texas history and artistic beauty.

Sunday 13th of November 2022

Im so excited to find this article Im taking my daughter for her 17th birthday this December she loves art and statues and ask to go to some museums and I ran across this article we are coming from Gatesville TX cant wait for this adventure

Laura Longwell

Enjoy! They're uniquely beautiful places.

Friday 13th of May 2022

Are "geo coordinates" available for the church locations?

Linda Woodson

Sunday 1st of May 2022

Laura, We have seen the Schulenburg Painted Churches and St. Mary's in Fredericksburg. Where are the other 14 painted churches? I can't seem to find them.

Tuesday 3rd of May 2022

I saw the complete list several years ago, but I haven't been able to find it again.

Saturday 26th of February 2022

Please visit St Michael church in Weimar TX. Most beautiful!

Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce

Explore  all schulenburg has to offer, the greater schulenburg chamber of commerce promotes and develops business opportunities for chamber members, resulting in increased quality of life for the community., have you painted, yet, meet our members, stay & visit, mark your calendar, member spotlight, apothecary pharmacy and gift shop, 979-743-3265  |  38 east avenue.

Our spotlight Member for the month of August is Apothecary Pharmacy and Gift Shop. They have been a full-service Pharmacy for about 45 years. It is one of the oldest businesses still operating in Schulenburg. The name “Apothecary” is an old English word for a medical facility that formulates and/or dispenses medicine to patients. “Fast, Friendly, Personal service to our customers - Full-service pharmacy” is what best describes  Apothecary Pharmacy.

Apothecary Pharmacy is happy to help their customers with all their pharmacy needs plus all the little extras such as gifts, cards, and dry cleaning services. They feel that customer service is probably the most important part of being in business.

Apothecary Pharmacy has been a member of the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce for many years. They feel motivated to participate in the community and believe that the Chamber helps to promote  businesses that are members.

Jak se Máš?

Schulenburg is nestled in the corner of historic fayette county, strategically located on i-10, 95 miles west of houston, 105 miles east of san antonio, 80 miles southeast of austin, and 65 miles north of victoria., cattle and wildflowers share the rolling hills and open fields which surround it. quaint painted churches and lively dance halls dot the landscape.  having stood for generations they are symbolic of the area’s rich czech and german heritage which is alive and well to this day., schulenburg is the home of the shorthorns, a venerable name in high school football and a satellite campus of blinn college. it also has a catholic elementary school. emphasis on education is appropriate since schulenburg in german means “school town”., a number of local merchants have built such a strong reputation over the years that they are practically synonymous with the town’s name. new specialty shops continue to open their doors and modern manufacturing plants go quietly about their business, producing goods in schulenburg that are shipped worldwide. quality health care is also available., schulenburg is a great place to raise children, a great place to retire, and a great place to just come and visit., incorporated may 19, 1895, follow us to stay up to date, stay up on all the happenings around town by visiting us on facebook and signing up for our weekly email, sign up for the newsletter.

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PAINTED CHURCHES

The Painted Churches of Schulenburg, 19th-century structures built by Czech and German settlers that look austere from the outside but boast brilliant-hued frescos and gold-framed icons inside, are far more famous in this region of Central Texas, but there are additional churches within Fayette County worth closer examination.  The Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce offers guided tours of the painted churches around Schulenburg.

The Painted Churches are located in the communities of Dubina, High Hill, Praha, and Ammannsville. They appear unassuming as you approach them, but as you enter the front doors prepare to have your breath taken away by the incredible beauty found inside.

To book a tour of the Painted Churches or for more information, please call (979) 743-4514. The churches are all active and do conduct services on Saturdays and Sundays. You may tour the churches Monday-Saturday 9:00-4:00pm, but please be respectful of any events or services that you may encounter. In addition, the church at Praha requests that all visitors be out of the church by 3:00 on Saturdays.

The Round Top Antique Shows, held each Spring and Fall, is recognized as being one of the best antique shows in the nation.  

 Round Top Antiques Show dates  are January 24 - 25, March 30 - April 4, and September 28 - October 3, though some of the 80-plus venues set dates earlier/later. 

The twice-yearly event attracts an estimated 100,000 vendors and shoppers to event venues in Round Top, Warrenton, Carmine, Burton and Fayetteville, as well as neighboring communities. The venues in these communities are collectively referred to as the Round Top Antiques Show; Round Top’s Rifle Hall was the original site of the first show in 1968.

Some 65+ venues feature a wide variety of treasures, from international and American antiques, to vintage, repurposed, reclaimed and recycled items. Junk, architectural remnants, clothing, jewelry, artisanal foods and even new items are available. Many venues or fields will have all categories represented in their dealer offerings, with an estimated 2,500 dealers setting up — some who set up in multiple venues.

Das Meyer Haus is a great location to act as your base for going to all the venues in Fayette County. 

ANTIQUES WEEKS

FOR THE FOODIES

Fayette County has a tradition of good food. German and Czech immigrants brought their appetites for fresh food with them when they arrived in the 1800’s. The county has a variety of butcher/meat markets that sell fresh cut beef and pork as well as smoked meats and sausages. Here are our favorites:

City Market

Monday through Friday this meat market serves up fresh beef (steaks are really great), pork and chicken along with sausage and frozen meats from La Boucherie (Turducken and other Cajun favorites). On Saturday mornings they also fire up their pit and offer BBQ beef, chicken, pork, and turkey, first come, first served until they run out – usually about noon.

109 Kessler Ave, Schulenburg, TX 78956, (979) 743-3440, 8am-5:30pm, Monday-Friday, and 8am-2pm on Saturday

Willie Joe’s Processing

Located in High Hill, this meat market serves fresh cuts of beef, pork, chicken, quail, & fish. They also have jerky and smoked sausages of many types. Some of the best hard sausages we have tried!

2218 Krischke Rd, Schulenburg, TX 78956, (979) 561-8272, 8am-5:30pm, Monday-Friday, and 8am-Noon on Saturday

Kaspers Meat Market

Kaspers Meat Market is a small-town meat market located in the heart of Weimar, Texas. The Kasper family has been serving quality meats since 1917. As you enter through the screen doors, you will find that not much has changed through time. The small market serves a variety of meat products and is well known for its jerky as well as its pork and beef sausage, also known as “Weimar Sausage”.

119 E Post Office St, Weimar, TX 78962, (979) 725-8227, 7:30am-5:30pm weekdays and 7:30am-4:30pm on Saturday

Walhalla Valley Smokehouse & Market

Ranch–to-table Wagyu beef and fresh pork meats. If you want to cook up an exquisite steak at home, this is your place. It's pricey, but worth it if you're into really good cuts of meat. They're very friendly, and will go out of their way to accommodate you.

4315 E, TX-71, La Grange, TX 78945, (979) 249-2571, 9am-5pm weekdays only

Cows are a big deal in Fayette County. According the Census of Agriculture (yes, it really does exist) of 2017, there are 96,079 head of cattle in the county. Many of those are the Jersey breed from the British Channel Islands. If you do any siteseeing in the county then you will see cows on the move, and if you take a half day for the Jersey Barnyard experience then you will see where these Jersey’s are going – which is the milking barn (called a parlor)! Take a look at the places where you can find fresh dairy in the county. Jersey cows also produce milk that is high in protein.

Jersey Barnyard  

Guided tours are $10 per person, pay $2 for a calf bottle and have the time of your life feeding a Jersey calf! The store has raw, whole non-homogenized milk from grass fed Jersey cows. Cheeses include mild, jalapeño and sharp cheddar and pepper and Monterey Jack. Free-range chicken eggs are available by the dozen.

3117 State Hwy 159, La Grange, TX 78945, (979) 249-3406, 10am-6pm Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm Saturday, and 1-6pm Sunday

Stryk Jersey Farm

Familiar Czech recipes include kolaches, sausage rolls and many other pastries, which are rich in flavor because they use lots of milk, butter, and cheese. That is probably one reason that dairies are always popular in Czech communities. Stryk offers whole raw milk, Cheddar Cheese (Plain, Black Pepper, Red Pepper, Chipotle, Cumin, or Caraway), and Texas-shaped cheese gifts.

629 Krenek-Stryk Rd, Schulenburg, TX 78956, (979) 561-8468, Open daily 6am-8pm

El Tampiqueño Cheese Products

A family business dedicated to the production of typical regional cheeses and creams, which specializes in Oaxaca cheese, Mexican cream and Salvadoran cream in different forms and sizes. Each product is unique and made with 100% natural product. This is the processing plant for their cheeses, some of which can be found at the town's grocery store, Arlan's.

391 FM 2672, Schulenburg, TX 78956, (832) 206-1303

Four E Dairy and Lira Rossa Artisan Cheese

The dairy sells raw milk, yogurt, gelato and creams. The store is part of Four E Dairy, a family dairy farm named after farm founder Ernest Sr. and his three sons Ernest Jr., Erwin and Eugene. Chad Chaloupka—grandson of Ernest Sr. and son of Eugene and Elyse Chaloupka—is the third generation to manage the dairy farm.

At the same location is Lira Rossa Artisan Cheese. Andrea Cudin, owner, makes fresh, homemade cheeses made from original Italian recipes in a small building in the Four E Dairy in Moulton. The building is always open, and Lira Rossa operates under the rule of the honor system. Andrea Cudin is from Friuli, a mountainous region in northern Italy. Cudin brought old-world recipes from the Friuli- Venezia Giulia region of Italy to the Crossroads when he moved to the area with his wife, Jillian.

The most popular cheeses are latteria, mozzarella and ricotta. The latteria, made from raw milk according to an original Friuli-region recipe, is the signature Alpine-style cheese. The flavor is “delicate” and “strengthens and becomes more aromatic with age.” Other varieties include caciotta, ricotta affumicata and formadi frant.

784 Co Rd 251, Moulton, TX 77975, [email protected]