Focus on Texas: Churches

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George Littrell, Grayson-Collin EC: Setting for a wedding
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Monni Warren, Grayson-Collin EC: One of the many beautiful churches on Isla Mujeres, Mexico
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Patti Festa, CoServ: A church on Maui in Hawaii
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Marvin Patterson, Brookston: Forest Chapel Chicota United Methodist Church in Lamar County
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Amber Engel, Jackson EC: Daughter Bailey Engel, 10, found this church in Vanderbilt and thought it made a perfect photo.
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Web Extra: Mark Holly, Bandera EC: St. John Lutheran Church in Crabapple was established in the 1880s before the sanctuary was erected in 1897. Worship services were discontinued in 1962.
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Web Extra: Kelsey Hellmann, Bryan Texas Utilities: Originally, this structure served as a schoolhouse and church. It was remodeled in 1919, and the towers were added. In 1975, a new church was erected, and the old building was relocated 200 feet east and restored as a museum by the Violet Historical Society.
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Web Extra: Lauren McClain, Cooke County EC: A private chapel at Hopp Ranch in Muenster
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Web Extra: Debbie Stohler, Pedernales EC: Church at Trois Estate, Fredericksburg
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Web Extra: Raquel Sepulveda, Magic Valley EC: Statue in San Antonio
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Web Extra: Greg Krenek, Mid-South Synergy: The 2016 St. Mary’s Quilt Show in Plantersville
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Web Extra: Jennifer Matula, Victoria EC: Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sweet Home
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Web Extra: Margaret Avard, Grayson-Collin EC: “We came across this church on the big island of Hawaii. In the early 1900s, the local priest painted the inside of the sanctuary with house paint donated by locals.”
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Web Extra: Charles Carlson, Bandera EC: This Rio Frio church was restored in 2015.
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Web Extra: Charles Aschenbeck, Jackson EC: United Evangelical Lutheran Church, Swiss Alp, was founded March 24, 1867. “We will celebrate our 150-year anniversary this year,” Aschenbeck says. “The first pastor, C.C. Rudi, was my wife Irma’s great-great-grandfather.”

As places of worship, ceremony and reflection, churches hold a special place in the hearts and lives of Texans. Whether modest or majestic, they give us a glimpse into the spirit of a community.