Painted Churches of Texas - High Hill

St. Mary's Catholic Church

The High Hill area was first settled in the mid 1800s by German and Austrian immigrants seeking religious freedom and opportunity in the New World.  The town was once a thriving community as a stagecoach stop, but the coming of the railroad in 1874 put an end to that. 

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, also known as St. Mary’s, was built in 1906 and painted six years later.  It is also known as the “Queen of the Painted Churches”.

Painted Wooden Columns

The current red brick building is the third church built in this location.  Constructed in Gothic style, it was designed by Texas architect Leo Dielmann and is one of the prettiest of the stops on the Painted Churches of Texas tour.

The decorative painting of High Hill was done by Ferdinand Stockert and Hermann Kern who first painted the images on canvas and then glued them to the wood walls.

The church is noted for its elaborate wooden columns painted to resemble marble, stained glass windows, and religious statuary. 

Decorative Ceiling

Original Stained Glass
Windows from 1899

Freehand and infill painting on the ceilings and walls illustrate Gothic rib vaulting and German ornamental foliage. Lead colors are greens, pale blue, dull red, and gold on a cream wood plank surface.

The original 18 stained glass windows from the second church were placed into the present church and five new windows were placed in the sanctuary. Later two more were added on either side of the tower.

Three bells from the second church were placed in the belfry of the current church and remain operational today.

Gary with the Bell Ropes in the Church Foyer

The church also had a history of European-style seating arrangement with women on the left and men on the right.

Note: When you travel between the High Hill and Dubina churches you will use a back road that will cross the Piano Bridge over the East Navidad River.  It received its name from the musical notes it once sounded when crossed by wagon or auto. 

Built in 1885, it still allows for auto traffic, but be careful as it is only one lane.  Watch for cars entering from the other side.