I create virtual tours of churches because each one
is a work of art and its beauty should not be limited to the people who
worship there.
To navigate a QTVR scene, click and hold your mouse down on the image and move
it either left/right or up/down. The scene will move in the direction you move
your mouse. You can rotate 360 degrees horizontally and 180 degrees vertically,
just as if you were standing right there! Alternately, you can use the
controllers located in the lower left hand corner.
| The Little Church at LaVillita | ||
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The
Little Church of La Villita, in Gothic revival architecture, was
built in 1879. The stone blocks were quarried near the Sunken Gardens
in Brackenridge Park and carried on small carts drawn by burros.
A workman named Olaf from Norway carved pegs and hung the lancet-shaped
casement windows. In 1895, the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
bought the church and used it as a chapel in connection with a
school for black girls. Eventually the school became St. Phillips
College and was acquired by the City of San Antonio in 1945. Church
office: (210) 226 - 3593. 508 Paseo de La Villita |
Back Front Flash Back Front Smaller File for Dial-up: Back Front |
| Panna Maria Church | ||
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Panna
Maria was established on December 24, 1854 by Father Leopold Moczygemba
and 100 families from Upper Silesia, Poland. In 1855, the immigrants
built their first church here, which was later destroyed by lightning.
A new church was built on the same location in 1878. It was remodeled
and enlarged in the years 1935-1937. The church is dedicated to Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose picture is exhibited in the main altar. There are two side altars, one dedicated to Our Lady of Czestochowa and the other to St. Ann. As you enter the church you'll see a painting of St. Stanislaus that was brought from Poland in 1858. When Pope John Paul II visited San Antonio in 1987 he held a private audience with parishioners and presented an elegant gold and jewel-encrusted chalice to the church and with beautiful wooden chairs used during his visit. |
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| Painted Church in Praha, Tx | ||
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Built by 19th century immigrants, the Painted Churches of Texas feature simple exteriors but incredibly beautiful interiors. There are more than 20 painted churches around Texas.
Here is St. Mary's Parish in Praha, which was established in 1855. In 1895, the present church was built and dedicated at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This church was built from native stone brought by oxen from a nearby village. The artwork was done by a Swiss-born painter Godfrey Flury and remains in its orginal condition. This church has stood unchanged for over 100 years. |
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