Saint Joseph's Catholic Church (of Rhineland, Texas) Photo Gallery by Michael Clay Smith at pbase.com

First United Methodist Church - Haskell, Texas | St. John Catholic Church (of Bomarton) Abandoned | Bethel Lutheran Church (of Ericksdahl, Texas) | Saint Joseph's Catholic Church (of Rhineland, Texas) | New Sweden Evangelical Lutheran Church | Holy Ghost Lutheran Church - Fredericksburg | St. Mary's Catholic Church - Fredericksburg | Painted Churches of Texas

Saint Joseph's Catholic Church (of Rhineland, Texas)

The beginning of Rhineland and St. Josephs was in 1895 when Father Reisdorff and Hugo Herchenbach contracted to purchase a tract of land from J.C. League and George E. Mann of Galveston, TX for the purpose of a colony. In 1927 the original church suffered a fire and was partially destroyed.

Plans were started for the new structure were began. The building was designed by Rev. Boniface Spanke, O.S.B and is German-Gothic architecture. Work on the building was done by the parishioners. Much of the materials was donated. The building contains more than 80,000 handmade brick made in a small hand-operated machine that only made six bricks at a time.

There is a beautiful Gothic alter which was hand carved by the Grier brothers, two German carpenters during the winter of 1900. While the building was begun in 1927, due to the depression and World War II, it was not completed until 1951.Some prints may require some cropping.

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T		22-Sep-2015 04:21
I had forgotten how beautiful this church is. I grew up in this church(baptized in 63), moved away in 1983. What a treasure to the area. Seeing these pictures brought back memories. Thank you.

Becky Luna Roy		18-Jan-2015 13:39
I love this church and hope to return again one day. My father did his hispanic rural ministry there during the early '80. He would eventually be ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Fort Worth and service not only this church but Our Lady of Guadalupe in Wichita Falls, but churches in Seymour, Windthorst, Montague and Nocona. The beauty of this church is breathtaking and plan on taking my sons there soon.

Bobby Anderson		22-Dec-2014 16:20
I went to this church until I moved away in 1974. It's the most amazing church that I have ever seen. I still visit it every time that I am in that part of Texas.

Hannah Redder		27-Nov-2014 23:18
My name is Hannah Redder. My family was one of the first to arrive in Rhineland when it began, and we own land there still. My parents and I live in South Dakota now, but we visit every three years for family reunions. I'm going to graduate in May with degrees in English and journalism, but I have to complete an honors project first. I've chosen to do mine about Rhineland, specifically St. Joseph's, so I will be living there and doing research on it during January 2015. I can see just from this post that people still feel very connected to Rhineland and like telling their stories about it. I would love to hear them! If you have a favorite story you'd like to tell or would even like to stop by Rhineland in January to tell it in person, let me know at heredder12@ole.augie.edu. Thanks!

Ellis Woods		05-Nov-2014 22:53
My name is Ellis Woods,in 1960 I worked for Mr.Billie Jake Meyers,in Rhineland.I worked for him just over a year then left.A few days ago (Nov 2 2014) Iwas back in Rhineland to show my wife the area.First time back since I left.Most suprising thing was Meyers Grain and Fertilizer.Glad to see that all going on Billie Jake deserved it,I think because he was such a hard worker.The church looked as good as it did in 1960 but there were a few things that had changed.

T. Barker		21-Apr-2014 14:53
My is Ty Barker. Son of Phyllis Marie Bellinghausen Barker. 33rd and last grandchild of Hubert and Rosina Bellinghausen. Like my aunt Catherine I have many fond memories of Saint Josephs and the town of Rhineland. From Sunday morning service to lunches, weddings and funerals at the KC Hall. I always brag about the beauty of this church and go out of my way on trips to stop by.

Guest		06-Apr-2014 22:40
My name isCatherine Bellinghausen PavlicekI was born to Hubert and Rosa Bellinghausen in 1931 Oct 24 number 5 of 10 children attended Rhineland School I married in 1950 in this church before it was completed. I married Bedrick W. Pavlicek on May 13, 1950 We have been married dor 64 years. I love this beautiful church. Catherine Pavlicek

Mark Jungman		08-Aug-2013 04:25
My grandpa was born in Rhineland. His name was Adolphus Jungman.

Jim Anderson		08-Jul-2012 15:05
Thanks for the great pictures. This is my home town and I attended 1st grade there. My Dad (Lester Anderson) helped build this church.

Kevin		18-Oct-2011 16:04
My wife and I were married here...beautiful church. I used to see it whenever I flew a nearby low-level training route from Sheppard Air Force Base...I'd always point it out to my students (many of whom were German), who were amazed such a church existed in that area.

Gloria Ayala Bowden		09-Mar-2011 02:41
I grew up almost in front of St Joseph's Catholic Church. I was baptized , made my first communion and confirmation at St. Joseph's. It is a beautiful church. Every time I go to Rhineland I take a picture of the church. My parents and brother are buried in the cemetery behind the church. You pictures are just lovely.

Cindie Wolf		15-May-2010 19:10
Congratulations Michael-you did what every photographer hopes/strives to do-evoke emotion, capture the moment, tell a story. All the comments in your gallery testify that this what you have done and more-you catalyzed a group of people in time and history because of your beautiful photos and you need to take them. Well done!! big V!

kristi Ingram		12-Mar-2010 10:57
My parents, Robert and Brenda Brown were married in Saint Joseph's. My extended family still attend. My Uncle, Gene Brown hangs the Christmas lights each year. It was beautiful this Christmas. I walked in as the choir was practicing one evening. I was told stories about my g grandfather being one of the men that was not afraid of heights and worked with the steaple. Thank you for these pictures.

Stella Martinez		31-Oct-2009 21:27
I was born in Knox City in 1973 and lived in Munday until age 8. I was baptized at St Josephs church and made my first communion there. I have fond memories of going to church every Sunday morning and ccd classes during the week with my brothers and sisters (there are 10 of us). We moved to Garden City, KS in 1981 and have lived here ever since. I haven't seen the church since we moved away and looking at these photos, brought back lots of good memories. I showed them to my children, who are age 13 and 16. They thought the church was beautiful. Thank you for posting the pictures. It was wonderful going down memory lane. Stella Martinez

Gerron Hite		07-Jul-2009 12:59
We am looking for the historic name for the cemetery located approximately one mile east of downtown Rhineland off CR 4260. The cemetery appears to have been active from 1920's to 1940's. It is fenced and contains exactly one acre. I have researched the deeds, death records and published history of Rhineland without finding any mention of the cemetery. We are in the process of designating it a Historic Texas Cemetery and would prefer to use the historic name. Gerron Hite, Cemetery Preservation Coordinator Texas Historical Commission

Lois Ann Smith (Michels)		27-Jun-2009 21:07
I was Baptised there in 1936 and my husband and I were married there in 1955. We now have our monument at our grave site there but hope we don't have to use it very soon. Have always loved the Church.

Dan Greenberg		20-Jun-2009 01:12
Wonderful pictures and narrative. I really like it because it is something we out here in the rest of the world would rarely get a chance to see or hear about. ~V~

Emilia Casillas		09-Mar-2009 01:26
I am Emilia Casillas, I was going threw the internet to find if there was anything on The Catholic Church in Rhineland Texas and I ran into to this beauitful pictures of all the diaplay gallery of Saint Joseph's Church. See I just lost my husband on Jan 6, 09. George Manuel Casillas we were married at this church 38 Years ago. It was also the town inwhich they use to have little dances beside the chruch in a little hall there, I fell in love with George there you might say it was love at first side, because 3 month later we got married at this church. Now with all my family admire Saint Joseph's Catholic chruch you will be seeing all of them and their families to see where their Dad & Mom and Grandfather & Grandmother did their vows. We live in FT.Worth and All our Family live all around the Metroplex. If I could I like to have the address there to send and offering to the chruch for a mass for My Husband George. And again very good pictures I Loved them. Mrs. Casillas

George Lopez		17-Dec-2008 02:52
My family use to migrate in the mid-seventies to Munday Texas. Saint Joseph's Catholic Church was the church we would go to every Sunday. Your picture of your church brought back wonderful memories of my childhood. Your church is beautiful inside May God Bless You for your awesome work.

Barbie Jungman Donnell		01-Feb-2007 05:11
Great Pictures! We love the church very much also, my dad was born and raised in Rhineland, Tx. His name is Alvin Jungman..

Guest		07-Jan-2007 23:04
We enjoyed your pictures of St Joseph Church in Rhinland. They were outstanding, some of the best we have ever seen. We wanted to let you know that the church in now under renovation. The interior is being painted, pews refinished and new carpet. It should be completed by Easter '07. We would like to invite you back to see it. Gala Nanny told us about your site. Thanks, JoAnn and David Albus

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