National Register Listing

Nativity of Mary, Blessed Virgin Catholic Church

a.k.a. St. Mary's

FM 2672, High Hill, TX
As St. Mary's position in the landscape indicates, it is the central focus of the community of High Hill. It is the third building to be built on the original nine acres deeded to the church in 1868 and is partly constructed of materials from the second building. The first church was founded by German Catholic settlers who had arrived in 1844, and by the Moravian Czech settlers of 1860. It was a log structure with a brick foundation and clapboard siding. A larger and more elaborate church building, also of wooden construction, was constructed in 1875. In 1906, the present structure was built to replace the second building, and the 18 stained-glass windows purchased between 1884 and 1889 were used in the third building. Leo M. J. Dielmann of San Antonio was the architect for St. Mary's and Frank Bohlmann of Schulenburg was the builder. With its fine mortar joints and restrained detailing, the church exhibits outstanding brickwork. Mr. Heidenwelder served as a chief brick mason. St. Mary's is a well-crafted example of the Gothic Revival Style and displays not only late Victorian aesthetics but the European background of the German and Czech/Moravian settlers as well. The extensively painted interior is unexpectedly elaborate and among the most sophisticated examples of such work in the state. Two San Antonio painters, Ferdinand Stockert and Hermann Kern executed the painting in 1912. The ceilings and walls combine freehand painting and stenciling and patterns, while the wooden columns provide an excellent example in a variety of colors of skillful marbling.
Local significance of the building:
Art; Architecture; Religion

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

buildings churches religion Roman Catholic denomination
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
Texas is home to the world's largest bat colony. The Bracken Bat Cave, near San Antonio, is home to millions of Mexican free-tailed bats.
Texas random facts
Fayette County, Texas, located in the southeastern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history. The area was first settled by indigenous Native American tribes, such as the Lipan Apache and Karankawa, who thrived off the bountiful natural resources of the region. European exploration and colonization began in the late 17th century when Spanish explorers arrived, followed by French adventurers and American frontiersmen.

The establishment of Anglo-American settlements in Fayette County started in the 1820s under Stephen F. Austin's colony. The town of La Grange, which would become the county seat, was founded in 1826 and named after the ancestral home of General Lafayette. Over the next few decades, more pioneers arrived, attracted by the fertile soil and opportunities for farming and ranching. German immigrants, in particular, played a significant role in the county's development, establishing thriving communities and introducing their agricultural practices.

During the mid-19th century, Fayette County became embroiled in the turmoil of the Texas Revolution and the Civil War. The Battle of Fayetteville, fought in 1836, marked a significant event in the struggle for Texas independence. Confederate soldiers from Fayette County fought in various battles during the Civil War, including the Battle of Galveston and the Battle of Sabine Pass.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Fayette County experienced economic growth and cultural diversification. Railroads connected the county to larger markets, stimulating trade and commerce. The discovery of oil and gas reserves further bolstered the local economy. Today, Fayette County is known for its agricultural industry, with crops like cotton and corn, as well as cattle ranching. It also attracts tourists with its historical sites, including the Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites, which commemorate important moments in the county's history.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Fayette County, Texas.

  • 1837 – Fayette County is established as one of the original counties of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1838 – The permanent county seat is established in La Grange.
  • 1861-1865 – Fayette County residents actively participate in the Civil War.
  • 1873 – The railroad reaches Fayette County, spurring economic growth.
  • 1901 – The first oil well is drilled in the county, leading to the discovery of the West Point Oil Field.
  • 1905 – The monumental Fayette County Courthouse is built.
  • 1950s-1970s – Fayette County experiences an agricultural boom due to the construction of the Fayette Power Project and Fayette Nuclear Plant.
  • 1998 – Fayette County celebrates its 150th anniversary.
  • 2011 – The historic town square in La Grange is added to the National Register of Historic Places.