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    CultureMap Video Adventure

    Painted churches of Schulenburg hold the sacred tales of ancestry andperseverance

    Joel Luks
    Jan 13, 2013 | 1:45 pm
    Painted churches of Schulenburg hold the sacred tales of ancestry andperseverance
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    Beyond the shoulders of the Interstate 10 corridor, at the point where the flat grasslands that characterize of Houston's topography transform into the gentle rolling terrain of the Texas Hill Country, are landmarks that archive stories of struggle, perseverance and new beginnings.

    Other than a few highway billboards that nod at the cultural lineage of the region, it's relatively easy to speed through towns like Weimar, Flatonia and Schulenburg without giving their importance a second thought, unless you are in mood for Czech-style kolaches, a polka dance party or fatty sausages.

    But those with a penchant for learning about the ancestors who entrusted Fayette County its Germanic-cum-Slavic flavor will find clues colorfully depicted in its sacred buildings. The Greater Schulenburg Area is home to 18 catholic churches — most of them located in small unincorporated communities surrounding the charming, railroad town — that reflect the spirit of its residents, not because of how they look, but because the method by which they achieve their beauty.

    Churches were adorned using stencils, pouncing and hand-painted faux techniques to mimic decorative molding, natural stone, cast details and trompe-l'œil effects.

    Schulenburg's first settlers — who arrived in the mid 1800s from Bremen, a port town in North Germany, and Moravia, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire — didn't have the funds or access to the building materials necessary to erect their houses of worship in a similar style to those of their native land. Marble was a luxury, skilled craftsmen were scarce and cash was far from abundant.

    But paint was cheap — and obtainable. And that's how the notable painted churches of Schulenburg, known as the gateway to the rolling hills, came to be.

    In the communities of Dubina, High Hill, Ammannsville and Praha, churches were adorned using stencils, pouncing and hand-painted faux techniques to mimic decorative molding, natural stone, cast details and trompe-l'œil effects.

    Locating these architectural gems may prove to be somewhat of a manhunt: There aren't neon signs pointing you from one to the other. And while a number have informative pamphlets, the most intriguing bits of their history are well guarded secrets.

    Exploring these buildings is best with help of local experts. At the quaint headquarters of the Greater Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce, which offers guided tours of the painted churches, we meet up with Rosenberg-native, Schulenburg-resident Patricia Balcar, whose ancestry dates back to the earliest pioneers who put down roots in hopes of finding economic prosperity and religious freedom in this new world.

    In this CultureMap mini documentary, Travelogue Texas, inspired by Architecture Houston's photography exhibit, Sacred Spaces of Texas, we gallivant with Balcar from St. Mary's Church of the Assumption to Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church to the Nativity of Mary, Blessed Virgin in search of the hidden, intimate tales that are filled with big Lone Star git-r-done attitude.

    ___

    Guided tours of the painted churches can be scheduled to the Greater Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce by calling 866-504-5294.

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    Disappear Into Nature

    Secluded Hill Country park opens 2 luxurious glamping houses

    Natalie Grigson
    Jun 19, 2025 | 10:15 am
    Bloom House exterior
    Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks
    Glamping can still include s'mores with a private outdoor fire pit.

    Just in time for unbearable temperatures across Texas, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has introduced a cooler glamping solution. Opened mid-May, the Ööd Mirror Houses are LCRA Parks' newest accommodations at Lake Bastrop South Shore Park, about 40 minutes outside of Austin.

    Hideaway House exteriorBoth glamping options have floor-to-ceiling windows that look like mirrors from the outside.Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

    Operated by Cameron Ranch Glamping, these two luxury houses are tucked away in the park's Lost Pines region, surrounded by trees and miles of tranquility.

    Both these pet-friendly homes include floor-to-ceiling mirrored glass walls, so guests can look out into nature with complete privacy, from both passersby and mosquitos.

    Both The Hideaway and The Bloom are 221 square feet and are equipped with a queen memory foam bed, full bathroom with walk-in shower, dining area, Wi-Fi, kitchenette, record player, and perhaps most importantly for this time of year, air conditioning. In the winter, the structures will be heated.

    Hideaway House InteriorBoth mirror houses include memory foam queen-sized beds, WiFi, A/C, and more. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

    No matter how glam it gets, guests can still enjoy classic camping fun like roasting marshmallows in their personal outdoor fire pit, or firing up the grill for some burgers. Plus, Lake Bastrop offers paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, areas for fishing, trails for hiking and biking, mini-golf, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, and a charming camp store.

    Interior kitchen areaKitchenettes come equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, and cooking equipment. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

    Guests can also leave the park and make the 10-minute drive to downtown Bastrop to grab a bite, a drink, some groceries, or catch some music or a movie. (Who can really say what the rules of glamping entail?)

    Bloom House The two mirror houses are within walking distance to the swimming areas along the lake. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

    The Ööd Mirror Houses are now available to book online. Rates vary by day, starting just above $200 per night before fees, and increasing to more than $300 before fees during certain times. Find the campground at 375 S. Shore Rd., Bastrop.

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