Friday, May 15, 2009

Homesick for the Old Country...the Painted Churches of Texas






















NancyGail (MyCraftyLittle Page) and I spent an amazing day touring several of the famous Texas Painted Churches...PBS has a wonderful documentary on those small country parish churches that they run now and again...The churches (the ones we visited were all Catholic built by European immigrants in what are now rural areas) are homey and grand at the same time. There were lovely faux finishes on the columns...attempting to create the look of European marble on Texas oak. And the cathedral ceilings were painted to replicate the great catherdrals of their homelands. They just made you feel "homesick for the old country" just as those Polish and Czechoslovian immigrants must have felt in the 1800's when those parishes were first founded. We loved them all, but our favorite was the Pink Church with a wonderful white altar. It was so unexpected and so non-traditional, but so calming and it really puts you in an"In the Pink" mood...except for our tour guide who must live her days with her eye on her watch and on her schedule...she was not in harmony with the Saints and certainly not a Child of the Universe as NancyGail discovered...had our tour guide been an olden days nun, Miss Nancy would have had her ear pinched!!! Go visit her blog for better color and then stop by Beverly's Pink Saturday for the complete list of posts.

Back in the day... the 50's...my family would attend church with my Oma and Opa in a little country church in Zehl, Texas...not a painted church...but memorable because services were in German and even such a plain little church had beautiful stained glass...
I don't usually change music very often, but I've chosen Nora Jones's Lone Star fot the feeling of homesickness and Old Time Religion even though it would NEVER have been played in these churches...far too tent-revival for their taste.

7 comments:

Nancy said...

Love your music and your post, LaVerne. Thanks so much for inviting me to tag along on your church tour.It was amazing. What a great getaway, looking at art books and drinking Mojitas! Love, Nancy

Anonymous said...

Hi there, Happy Pink Saturday! Wonderful info and pics - please come visit me anytime.

xJ
MaidenShade.wordpress.com
MaidenShade.com

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Happy Pink Saturday ~ I hope you have a great weekend ~ Susan

debbie said...

THIS IS MY FIRST TIME TO VISIT YOUR BLOG. HAPPY PINK SATURDAY. THE CHURCH IS BEAUTIFUL IN SPITE OF THE TOUR GUIDE.
BLESSINGS
debbie

Deanna said...

Hi LaVerne,
I really enjoyed the church tour. It's always a treat to see a brilliant post.

¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ Happy Pink Saturday
Deanna :D

Susie Jefferson said...

Just lovely! Happy Pink Saturday (on Sunday, sorry...)

Char said...

the painted churchs are gorgeous and I can imagine they involked many past memories of a by gone era. happy pink saturday, Char



Limping Deer and the Twins

Limping Deer and the Twins
They are still spotted at this time.

Show and Tell Sunday June 15

Flea Market Finds...sounds like my whole house and yard...

Milk Glass Collection

Milk Glass Collection
Who knew that a 25 cent flea market find would unleash such a collecting frenzy? I never pay more than a dollar unless it's a really nice piece. They are great grouped with a single daisy in each.

These used to be inexpensive florist vases in the 50's and 60's. Everyone's Grandmother had bunches.

Mexicana Dishes

Mexicana Dishes
My sister found these for me at Bussy's Flea Market in San Antonio, Texas. I had seen pictures in her Fiesta reference book. Mexicana was also made by Homer Laughlin in the 30's. I had been looking for several years without ever finding even a single piece when she found the set...with a promise to hold it for us, she came running to find me and I bought the entire set...60+ pieces for $50.

Mexicana

Mexicana
I've added to the set over the years, but the price and experience will never match that first amazing find.

Vintage Kitchen Hutch

Vintage Kitchen Hutch
When my hubby found this hutch it was Pepto pink and I was not 100% sure about it. But with a new red back and fresh white paint and refurbished hardware, it became one of my favorite pieces.

Nancy made me save the vine

Nancy made me save the vine
The vine and flowers painted on the inside were in such bad shape that I was ready to remove it all. Nancy -My Crafty Little Page convinced me to keep it and after some touch-up work, I'm glad I listened to her. My husband restores vintage Cushman motorscooters and he tries to make everything "mint" condition again. The Shabby Chic movement came along just in time to keep me from making some terrible mistakes.