Texas’ Painted Churches: The Historic Beauty of Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Shiner
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 1850s to the 1950s,” studied these fifteen painted Churches as a professor of interior design. In her research, she highlighted the incredible religious imagery featured in the church.
“The most impressive design statement is the huge panoramic mural located on the app ceiling," She shares. "It realistically depicts Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. Darkened value with an emphasis on blue and gray, the mural contrasts significantly with the lighter character of the interior, thereby contributing to a sense of religious awe.”
Aside from the beautiful paintings, the Church features stained glass windows from Munich dating back to 1921 in Czech and German writing.
Father Bryan Heyer stated, “It shows the people were one, supporting the parish together, donating to have their words put on the windows.”
The family of Deacon Michael Morkovsky of Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church had deep roots in the Shiner community, with a stained glass window including their family name.
This church has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983 and is always open to the public.
Their website states,
“The ancestors of many of the current parishioners established a strong foundation for a church of which Shiner can be proud. The activities supported by the parish have had a positive effect on several generations of Shinerites, both Catholic and non-Catholic. There is also hope that the proud heritage of this church will continue. It appears to be as sure as the Angelus bells ringing three times daily reminding us of God’s presence in our lives.”
Father Bryan Heyer noted, “Our faith is something that brings us all together. It’s a sign of unity. Because the faith certainly is that– it’s bigger than the 2200 people that live here. So that’s why I love it and that’s why I get up in the morning and come celebrate Mass, and just excited about our parish here in Shiner.”