Inside, each is decorated in a profusion of color, with nearly every surface covered in bright paint.  German and Czechs immigrants fleeing the Austrian Empire celebrated religious freedom found here in Texas by decorating humble Texas churches with gaudy and glorious interiors. Most of today’s remaining painted churches are second or third church buildings, some destroyed by fire, others, by hurricanes. Of the some 20 painted churches in Texas, 15 are listed on the National Register of historic sites. 

St. Mary's Catholic Church Plantersville St. Mary's Church is one of the few churches with a short steeple. Perhaps the lightening storm that destroyed the original structure in 1917 taught the parishioners not to tempt nature with a tall bell tower. The painting of the lamb with incensing angels is painted on canvas appliqueed to the arch. The theme of the victorious lamb is common in painted churches.

St.Mary’s Church of the Assumption, Praha sits on a hill in a live oak grove, and most of its parishners are of Czech decent. Praha, the Czech spelling for Prague, must have reminded early residents of their homeland.Built of solid rock, the church’s tall steeple welcomes all. The altar is the work of master hands. Stained glass windows represent scenes from the life of Christ and filter the bright, hot, Central Texas sunlight in an explosion of color. Look for the All-Seeing Eye, framed in a triangle, said to have been painted on the ceiling to keep a watchful eye on the congregation and to remind children to pay attention. As Psalm 33 says, “Behold the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him.”  

St. Mary’s at High Hill Know as the “Queen of the Painted Churches,” St. Mary’s High Hill boasts the most extensive and elaborate painted interior in the state. Two San Antonio painters executed the painting in 1912. The ceilings and walls combine freehand painting and stenciling, while wooden columns showcase skillful marbling. The spandrel above the apse features the Lamb of God, set in a quatrefoil flanked by kneeling angels. Rich, red carpet contrasts the gold tones of the ornate ceiling paintings.

Saints Cyril and Methodius Church in Shiner Unknown artists began painting Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in 1909. If you take a self-guided tour, you can only peek into the church, as it remains locked unless open for regular services. The design inside is simple stenciling that frames the Stations of the Cross. Examples of pounce, a variation of infill painting, are hand-painted throughout the church. The ceiling and nave are sky blue, accented by organic stenciling. 

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ammansville Fred Donecker and sons began painting the interior of Ammansville’s St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 1919. This sweet little painted church is pretty in pink, with delicate stencils throughout. The banister and newel details are painted faux-finished marble. A window at the side entrance was installed in an arch shape with clear panes, making views outside appear as the stained glass.