A Celebration of Texas’ Czech Culture

The little town of Granger, Texas, population approximately 1200, is a community dominated by families with a deep Czech heritage.   A gathering spot for many folks here is Saint Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church.   Among the more interesting fundraisers church members undertake every November is their Kolache Bake Sale.   For their big event, members, including men, women and kids, were on the scene beginning at 4:30 in the morning.  That was far too early for me, but I did show up last Saturday around 9:30, when things were well underway.   513 dozen (that’s right, dozen) kolaches were made, selling for $10 a dozen.   Among the flavors baked on this day were poppy seed, pineapple, prune, cherry and cream cheese.   One of the church’s fundraising goals is the painting of their sanctuary.   In Czech (and also German) culture, elaborate painting is one of the traditions brought here from Europe in the 1800s.   These photos were taken for the Williamson County Sun.