The Painted Churches of central Texas
The painted churches were built by German, Czech, Wendish, Polish, and other central European immigrants in the period from about 1870 to 1930. They are all notable for their interiors. The decoration includes stenciling, freehand painting, marbling, trompe l'oeil and other techniques to produce lavish interiors in churches whose exteriors are often much plainer. Some suggest that these churches were meant to recall the great churches left behind in Europe by immigrants to Texas.
Lists of the Painted Churches vary from five to fifteen or so, but the following are often included:
Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, Ammansville *
Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Dubina *
Saint Mary/ Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Catholic Church/ High Hill (Schulenburg)
Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Shiner
Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Serbin
Saint Mary's Church of the Assumption, Praha
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary the Queen of Peace, Hallettsville
Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church, Moravia
Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Plantersville
The following are also sometimes included among the Painted Churches:
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Panna Maria *
St. Mary's Catholic Church, Fredericksburg
Wesley Brethren Church, Brenham (Wesley)
Guardian Angel Catholic, Church Wallis
First United Methodist Church, Paris
St Peter's Catholic Church, Lindsay
St Mary's Catholic Church, Umbarger
Wesley Brethren Church, Dubina
* Underlined names are links to pages on this web site.