Painted Churches of Texas - Ammannsville

St. John the Baptist Church

One of the beautiful country churches on the Painted Churches of Texas tour is in Ammannsville, settled by both German and Czech immigrants in the 1870s.  St. John the Baptist Catholic Church is called the “pink church” because the entire interior is painted a soft pastel pink.

Front Altar

The first church, built in 1890, was destroyed by an inland hurricane in 1909.  The second church built in 1910 was destroyed by fire in 1917, but six statues and a crucifix were saved from the fire.  This second church was very ornate inside and out, built in a highly Victorian style.

The present church, built in 1919, is the third in this location and was built in a much simpler design on the outside.  However when you enter, your eyes feast on a richly decorated white altar set against a rose colored background. 

The "Pink Church" at Ammannsville 

Stained Glass Window

The ceilings are a relatively simple stencil pattern with more ornate decoration on the walls. Legend says that an unknown itinerant artist painted the walls of the church, however research has shown that decorative painter Fred Donnecker is responsible for the artistry back in 1919.

It also features stained glass windows and faux marble columns painted to resemble the real thing. 

Painted Churches of Texas - Hostyn

The Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church located at Hostyn is not on old church, and not actually considered one of the Painted Churches of Texas, but interesting nonetheless. And it was next on our Painted Churches tour.

Station of the Cross #VI

Outside all around the building are stone monuments of the stations of the cross, a grotto and fountain, and the picturesque cemetery that overlooks a valley.  Although we did not go into this modern church built in 1966, I am told that it has some beautiful stained glass windows, one of the Virgin Mary throwing arrows of lightning down on the native Indians attacking the settlement.

It is the fifth church built in Hostyn, with a replica of the first log cabin located in the back corner, now a memorial chapel.  The church bells in the bell tower are from the third church.

Once named Bluff, the tiny community overlooks the Colorado River and was settled by Germans in the 1830s and joined by Czech settlers 20 years later.  The name was later changed to Hostyn after a Moravian city.

Hostyn's Grotto

The Hostyn Grotto is a replica of France’s Grotto of Lourdes and was constructed in 1925 as thanks for the end of the 1924-25 drought.  Built with old stones salvaged from a rock wall and petrified wood and rocks found along the Colorado River, the grotto tells the story of the shepherdess, the latest canonized virgin of the Roman Catholic Church.  It is often the setting for weddings.

Confederate Soldier Joseph Lidiak (father

Union Soldier John Lidiak (son)

The cemetery contains many Czech tombstones but of note is the father and son who are buried side by side – but fought on opposite sides during the Civil War.  Monuments to them can be found at the back of the church.

It was at Hostyn in 1889 that the first KJT (Katolicka Jednota Texaska), or Catholic Czech Union, was formed to provide life insurance and financial aid to Texas Catholics.

Painted Churches of Texas - Serbin

When German and Czech immigrants came to Texas in the early 18^th century, one of the areas they settled in was south central Texas.  As a reminder of their homeland, they built small country churches with rich decorations that reminded them of their homeland.

St. Paul Lutheran Church - Serbin

One of these Painted Churches of Texas is located in the tiny town of Serbin, Texas, a German settled community.  The present historic St. Paul Lutheran Church was built between 1867 and 1871 by a group of Lutheran Wends who immigrated to Texas to escape economic and religious oppression.  The group of worshipers was led by Pastor Johann Kilian, and his cabin is still located adjacent to the church. 

Church Pulpit above the Altar

Unassuming on the outside, visitors are surprised when they walk in the front door.  The 30-inch sandstone walls rise to a height of 24 feet and the unique interior includes a balcony that extends all around the church where at one time men sat on “home-made” pews while women and children sat below in the factory-built pews on the main floor.  The pulpit is located above the altar at balcony level making it the tallest pulpit in Texas.

Front altar

The chandeliers are the original kerosene lamps adapted to electricity.  The pews and the ornate baptismal font are also original.  The feather painting on the wooden pillars supporting the balcony gives the illusion of marble columns.  The 1904 pipe organ still has the original hand-pump blower. 

Original Pipe Organ 

We were told on our visit that the ceiling was painted blue because in the early days when the windows were open for ventilation that it kept bugs and birds away.  They thought it was the sky!

Two Bible verses are prominently displayed in German.  On the balcony below the organ are the words of Psalm 21:14 and in the front of the church are the words of Exodus 20:24.

Johan Kilian's Cabin

This site is an awesome 360-degree view of the entire church!  The church’s blog shows many photos of its restoration progress.  This site gives you more information on the various decorating techniques used in all the churches.

Wendish Decorated Easter Eggs

Located near the church is the Wendish Heritage Museum, a collection of memorabilia celebrating life of these ethnically unique people.  Check out the Wendish tradition of decorated Easter Eggs.  It is truly fascinating.

Slovakia and the Tatra Mountains

Tatra Mountains

Although our tour is billed as a four-country tour with stays in Germany, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary, there is actually a fifth country included – Slovakia.

On day 8, on the drive between Krakow, Poland and Budapest, Hungary, we are treated with a drive through the beautiful Tatra Mountains situated in the northern part of Slovakia, one of the smallest mountain ranges in the world.

In 1993, the Tatras were declared by UNESCO to be the “Biospheric Reservation of the Tatras.”  There are 25 peaks surpassing 2500 meters above sea level.  The highest peak in the range is Gerlachovsky peak (2655 m.) making the Tatras a great winter sport area.

There are 85 mountain lakes on the Slovak side of the Tatras nestled in the valleys.  At the end of the valleys are beautiful waterfalls that make the Tatras even more breathtaking. These 360-degree images give a sweeping view of the mountain lakes.

The Tatras also play host to a wide variety of flora and fauna from the lovely blue willow gentian to the cedar pines that grow on the steepest back of the hillsides.  The Tatra chamois, wolves, and brown bears find homes in the deep forests.

Although this day may appear to be a long bus ride to our final destination, it is definitely not a day for napping on the bus.  In this case, the phrase “you snooze, you lose” is really quite appropriate!

Olomouc, Czech Republic

Holy Trinity Column

On our way from Prague to Krakow, we stop by historic Olomouc (pronounced ˈolomou̯ts], known as one the prettiest towns in the Czech Republic and located in the heart of the Hana region.

This city dates from the Middle Ages and was one of the main centers of Moravia.  In the 11^th century a Diocese was established here and in 1306 the last Czech king, Wenceslas III, was murdered here.

During the Renaissance, Olomouc had 30,000 inhabitants and many magnificent palaces, such as Přemyslid Palace and Olomouc Castle.  Today it is a city of over 100,000 citizens.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Holy Trinity Column dominates the city centre.  It is the largest group of Baroque statues within a single sculptural monument in Central Europe.  There are 18 stone statues of saints, 11 light-bearers, and 6 relief busts of the apostles.  The column is 35 meters high and the lower portion houses a seasonably accessible chapel.

The 35-meter column is topped by a gilded copper sculpture of the Holy Trinity with the Assumption of the Virgin Mary beneath.

Also on the city centre square is the 15^th century astronomical clock on the side of the town hall.  It takes its present appearance from the 1950s when it was refurbished during the communist era after substantial damage during WWII.

In front of the astronomical clock is a scale model of the entire old town in bronze.

St. Wenceslas Cathedral dominates the city skyline with the tallest spire in Moravia and the second largest in the Czech Republic.  St. Moritz Church, dating from 1398, houses the Engler organ, one of the largest in Europe.

St. Michael’s Church, which is quite plain on the outside, features one of the most beautiful Baroque interiors of Central Europe.  It houses a unique painting of an apparently pregnant Virgin Mary, rare for a Catholic church.

This blog, Czech the Flip, has some really good photos of Olomouc.  This video, UNESCO Olomouc (1:00), is a brief visit to the city.

Want to see something really cool?  Go on Google Earth and fly to Holy Trinity Column, Olomouc, Czech Republic.  The monument is one of 19 UNESCO sites that shows in 3D.  Awesome!

Dresden – 200th Anniversary of Wagner’s Birth

Composer Richard Wagner

The city of Dresden is one of several cities across Germany that will honor the 200th anniversary of the birth of the famous classical composer Richard Wagner (the W is pronounced as a V) in 2013.

The city was an inspiration to Wagner, who lived here as a child and returned in 1842 for several years. He created some of his greatest works here.  Many of the sites in the city are associated with him.

He was born on May 22, 1813 in Leipzig, but at a year old, he moved with his mother and stepfather to Dresden. Here he joined the choir school at the Kreuzkirche (Church of the Holy Cross) and was eventually drawn to the opera.

Wagner and his wife Minna moved into an apartment across from the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), with its magnificent dome, the centerpiece of Dresden. Wagner premiered his oratorio Feast of Pentecost 170 years ago at this magnificent church. On May 18, the piece will be performed there once again.

Wagner concerts will be performed in the Semper Opera House. His opera Rienzi, inspired by his reading of the novel by the same name, was first performed in Dresden at the Semper Opera House, where he also staged the premiere of The Flying Dutchman.

 The Semper Opera House and Church of Our Lady are among the most important sites in Dresden associated with Wagner.

An exhibition at the Dresden City Museum, which runs from 27 April to 25 August 2013, focuses on Wagner's time in Dresden, when he conceived nearly all of his later works.

 Saxon State and University Library of Dresden is presenting historical documents of Richard Wagner in a special Jubilee 2013 exhibit.

The Royal Palace will reopen its Great Hall (Riesensaal) in February, and Zwinger’s Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments, showcasing the world’s finest collection of historic globes, will reopen in April after lengthy construction.  The city is truly gearing for a great celebration.

Wagner completed many operas in his lifetime.  This site lists them with links to casts, summaries, audio, and/or video.  For a sampling of his music, this audio file is The Ride of Valkyries. This site has postcard photos from many of his operas.  Just click on the opera title (written in his own handwriting!).

Just a note…

While strolling the cobblestoned streets of historic Dresden investigating Wagner’s life, you might want to look for any of the 60 time capsules embedded in the ground that keep documents to maintain the memory of the Holocaust.

Getting Your Passport

Getting Your Passport

You could travel to Europe without new clothes, guidebooks, or even a toothbrush, but there is no way you can even get on the plane without a passport! It is THE one essential that everyone must have.

If you already have a passport, then check the expiration date. It must be good for at least 6 months after our return. Some countries will not allow you to enter if you do not have six months left on your passport.

In other words, your expiration date must be AFTER December 2013.  If not you will need to renew before departure. Adult passports are good for 10 years.

If you do not have a passport at all, then you need to start the process now to obtain one. Whether you are getting a new one or renewing an old one…do not procrastinate, start now. Currently it takes at least 6 weeks to process a passport application.

NEW PASSPORT
Passports are obtained from the U.S. Department of State, but must be applied for locally in person at the district clerk’s office or post office. You will need a certified (stamped with a seal) copy of your birth certificate from the county where you were born. This can be obtained from the county clerk's office where you were born or the Vital Statistics Office in the state where you were born.

As of 1 April 2011, the U.S. Department of State requires the full names of the applicant’s parent(s) to be listed on all certified birth certificates to be considered as primary evidence of U.S. citizenship for all passport applicants, regardless of age. Certified birth certificates missing this information will not be acceptable as evidence of citizenship.

In addition to this requirement, certified copies of birth certificates must also include the following information to be considered acceptable primary evidence of U.S. citizenship:

·         Full name of the applicant

·         Date of birth

·         Place of birth

·         Raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal of issuing authority

·         Registrar’s signature

·         The date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office (must be within one year)

If you cannot obtain a birth certificate that meets these requirements, please see Secondary Evidence of U.S. Citizenship.

You will need to do the following:

1.  Fill Out Form DS-11: Application For a U.S. Passport
2.  Submit Completed Form DS-11 In Person
3.  Submit Evidence of U.S. Citizenship
4.  Present Identification
5.  Submit a Photocopy of the Identification Document(s) Presented (Step 4)
6.  Pay the Applicable Fee
7.  Provide One Passport Photo

If you are a first time applicant then you must apply for your passport in person at the district clerk's office or post office. Go here to find the closest office. Check with your local offices for complete instructions. Here is a link to the district clerk’s office here in Ellis County, Texas to give you an idea.

Here we must provide a completed passport application which is available online, 2 passport quality photos (from CVS, Walgreens, etc.), certified copy of your birth certificate, your social security card or number, your driver's license or another state issued photo ID, and the fees ($110 for the application and $25 for local processing fees). You can pay an extra fee to expedite the process, but save the money by starting early.

RENEW PASSPORT
If your passport is already out of date or if it will not be valid through December 2013 then you must renew your passport.  Passports may be renewed by mail by sending your old passport, application, and fees following the directions provided by the State Dept. 

You must complete Form DS-82: Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail.  Send the completed and signed form, your most recent passport, one passport photo stapled in the space provided on the application, and current fees ($110 for adult passport book).  You will also need to send a marriage certificate or court order if your current name does not match your passport name.

Again, don’t procrastinate!  Make getting your passport in proper order your trip priority now.