First we headed to Serbin to see St. Paul's Lutheran Church. When you first walk in you notice that there are two levels and the ceiling is a striking sky blue. When you look closer you notice the beatiful stenciling in the corners of joints. This church was built by Wendish immigrants from Hamburg, Germany in 1870. Opposite of traditional Roman churches, the Women and children sat in the lower level while the men were above. The congregation creatively decorated the columns with turkey feathers dipped in gray paint to resemble marble. Interestingly enough, Pfeifer, a resident Austinite built the organ and even created his own wooden pipes.
Next was the Nativity of Mary, Blessed Virgin Catholic Church in High Hill. Built by Dielmann in 1906 it was constructed out of dark red brick in a Gothic revival style. The interior is made of wood and protected from fire by the brick outside. The rich stained glass allowed for little light to be brought in, creating a mystic atmosphere (and making it very challenging to take pictures). According to Gothic cathedral architecture, the higher the church the more divine- this one definately inspires respect.
Then we travelled to Ammansville to visit St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. This was the third church build on this property. The first was destroyed by the 1909 hurricane and was said to be very ornate. The second destroyed by fire and replaced by the 1919 structure. Personally, out of all the churches, this simple one had a great feeling of community with its close pews and great painted detail. The most striking feature when you walk in are the pink walls- but they actually seem to fit!
Saints Cyril and Methodius Church in Dubina again had a sky blue ceiling with colorful stencils adorning all curves and edges. Unfortunately we were unable to enter the church due to locked grates, but we could step in the small alcove. We stood in the second church built on that spot since the first was destroyed by the 1909 hurricane too. Yet we did get to see a bit of the historical past- the church's steeple also set on top of the original church, created by Tom Lee who was a freed slave and blacksmith.
Lastly we entered St. Mary's Church of the Assumption in Praha. One of the oldest churches, built in 1895, it is a large Czech church at over 130 feet at the top. The alters are hand-carved and embelished paintings by a beloved priest really add to the environment. The paintings were my favorite- murals of ferns and lush exotic places. The high ceiling gave a cool respite from the hot TX heat.
As an aside, while riding in the car (it was nice of dad to drive), I finished Issac Asmov's I,Robot - excellent book of short stories about the futuristic creation of robots. After a hot day traveling we dinned at the Sirloin Stockade and had our fill of steak, ribs, and salad :) The perfect end to a great TX adventure (I love buffets)!
