Travel Blog - Painted Churches of Schulenburg, Tx
“Art can be a means to liberate us from such oppression by depicting the world through beauty and truth, to point to the New” // Makoto Fujimira in the Theology of Making
—— In my own backyard
Although much of the world is slowly starting to open back up, one of the positive parts of the last year has been the opportunity to explore the wonders in your own backyard. Despite living in Texas my whole life, I’ve never been to see the painted churches in Schulenburg - just a short one-hour drive from my hometown! My mom and I set out for a little adventure and a much needed break from work and various deadlines.
It’s an easy day trip from Houston or you could make it a pitstop on the way out to the hill country. We visited the four most popular churches right along highway I-10. Don’t let the relatively simple exteriors fool you - the inside of each of these churches is magnificently painted by hand. Many of the Eastern Europeans who settled in this area in the late 1800s missed the grand churches from back home so they created these little gems right here in Texas. From floor to ceiling you will find decorative patterns and designs of the Nouveau style that have been preserved over the years with careful detail. The churches have been through fires and hurricanes but each one is still an operating parish with Masses throughout the week. Given that the parishes are quite small it’s a limited Mass schedule but we were able to visit each one and sit inside and pray. I highly recommend the trip and a chance to feel like you’ve slipped away to Europe for a few hours.
—— Beauty is the remedy
For me personally art has always been an agent of healing - whether I’m creating or experiencing it as the viewer. And I believe it is much the same for our greater world. We need experiences of beauty to cultivate rest, healing, and connection. By contemplating beauty we encounter truth & goodness in one of the purest earthly forms. There is so much ugliness & division within the world and each time I encounter true beauty I find myself feeling quiet & centered.
This year I’ve centered much of my prayer on the notion of connectivity. It is particularly in response to the divide and isolation of the pandemic years, and I’ve realized how much my soul has craved it and I think it is also the remedy for many. Beauty interrupts the mundane shackles of our lives and connects us to something beyond ourselves.
There is freedom to create in any given style and means but we are called “to make in a way that ultimately orients our world toward restoration” (On Beauty & Faith, Alabaster Co). I think this is such a powerful concept that cannot be underestimated. Whether you are creating a painting, a community, or a home - we have the calling & ability to foster reconciliation and unity within this world. That is my forever prayer.
——— Thank you for being on this journey with me!
Visiting these churches was such a breath of fresh air and inspired me to continue to make beautiful things (that hopefully last!). I feel like these pictures don’t even do them justice, so you may just have to see them for yourself soon. Cheers to more exploring and wonder in our everyday lives!
With love,
Christie
Come say hi on Instagram!
