A Travelogue Tour of Schulenburg Churches

Even I have to admit, I long-believed the stereotypes of Texas before I moved here. Oh, you know: all the women are like Ann Richards (code-named "Big Hair, Big Mouth" by George W. Bush) and all the men are a mix of J.R. Ewing, the aforementioned Dubya and Hank Hill in varying proportions.

What I did not know was the large Czech population in Texas. Germans too, because I'm told Bavaria is the Texas of Europe and thus Texas with its pride and pomp was a great place in which Germans could locate. I have no idea what that means but go with it.

Being from the old world and being mostly devout Catholic, much like our Mexican friends and neighbors and, yes, our neighbors to the east in the Cajun part of Louisiana, these Europeans kept church at the heart of of their communities. Nowhere is this more evident than in Schulenburg in Fayette County. Population 3000. Formed by immigrants from Germany.

Czechs, Bavarians, Austrians and Ashkenazi Jews from Europe all settled in the area. They brought with them their cultures, which all inter-mingled. Among the major cultural exports of this area, and other areas in Texas with similar ethnic composition: Kolaches (yum) and Polka music. The Museum of Polka Music is actually in the town. Yet if you travel to Schulenburg, you'll see they're most proud of their churches with ornate artwork.

Enjoy this video from CultureMap:

I'm loving the spirit in these houses of worship.