St Mary's Church

This one is absolutely beautiful. Decorated for Christmas as well during our visit. This one sets itself apart from the other. Birches in the area. Because of the overall design and unusual and very skillful painting inside. Using freehand, stenciling and infilling. It is believed because of the darker color scheme used, possibly more than one painter at different times. Original established in 1855. First used a neighboring family home, then the next three version were of wood in 1865, 1866 and 1876. What you see today was completed in 1895 and stuccoed in 1930's. The interior painting is rare for the freehand trompe l'oeil technique. The first and most prolific painter was Gottfried Flurry a native of Switzerland. He also painted in New York and San Antonio. This Church is one of the few remaining buildings with his painting still intact. Must see to appreciate

A beautiful experience in the Painted Churches tour. The exhibit of these pioneers' faith is inspiring.

Taking the painted churches tour. This is the first stop. Quaint little church. Your faith has to be hardcore to worship here. No AC or heat. Today it's colder inside than outside. Before WW2, they had a boys choir with 20 young men. All 20 went to war and nine were killed on June 6 and 7, 1944. There are three memorials erected to them. Very sad.

I live in San Antonio and this is my second visit to the painted churches, it's about a an hour and a half drive right off of I-10 on the way to Houston. I love these churches, there's another one within about twenty minutes that is a bit more ornate that this one, but they both have their charms for certain. I am amazed that these churches are left unlocked and unguarded, makes me feel a bit better about the world. The details are truly spectacular and I look forward to many more visits, plus, it ain't too far at all from the Shiner Brewery! I've also been to Nativity of Mary, Blessed Virgin in High Hill as well as the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ammansville.