Originally published at Churchpop
On November 8, 2024, EWTN News COO Montse Alvarado joined EWTN News in Depth to report on the Painted Churches of Texas.
Though it may seem like a small European village at first glance, this town of Shiner, Texas is home to a tight-knit community of Czech and German Catholics.
This segment features one of the 15 painted churches in rural Texas– Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. It was named after two Greek saints who played an important role in evangelizing the Slavic peoples.
According to Father Bryan Heyer, Pastor of Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, construction began in 1920 and was completed in 1921.
The town of Shiner was founded in 1887, when German and Czech immigrants came to the area bringing their culture, exquisite food, and Catholic faith. According to Alvarado, about 90 percent of incoming immigrants were practicing Catholics.
In the late 1800s, these European settlers built many churches throughout the state of Texas, with each one depicting unique artwork. However, this church was not painted until the 1950s by a German-educated artist, making it one of the last to be completed.
Buie Harwood, professor emeritus and author of “Decorating Texas: Decorative Painting in the Lone Star State from the
