A Visit to New Corn Hill, Texas

Last weekend, my cameras and I spent time at the annual church bazaar for Holy Trinity Catholic Church.   Since returning to Texas, in 2009, I’d ridden by this church on bike rides into the countryside.  The first sight of it, from a distance, is something special.  Like so many structures around here, you can see things from great distances.  Holy Trinity qualifies.   In North Williamson County, Texas, it’s above Walburg.   From there, you travel up F.M. 1105  for a few miles, quickly pass through Theon, and there it is, in New Corn Hill, Texas.  The post office lists this as being in Jarrell,  but it’s New Corn Hill, quite near what was once just “Corn Hill.”   But I ramble.   The bazaar itself was a splendid event, with whopping amounts of food served in the parish activity center.   Once the meals were done, the tables cleared,  followed by a live auction,  with a great auctioneer, Buddy Johnson, from Thorndale.   In an adjacent room, bingo was a hopping place to be.   Luckily, I decided to sit close to 6-year-old Mason Danek, with his grandmother, Barbara Danek.  Of all the many people playing, Mason actually won, right in front of my lens!   On the church grounds outside, polka music, performed by several gentlemen of Czech heritage,  was plentiful.  Among them were Edward Kopecky, leader of the Funtime Czech Band, who played the accordion, but often switched to his trombone, or a trumpet.   Also playing a mean accordion was  Willie Vrabel, who attends Holy Trinity and just enjoys performing and visiting with friends.  There  were games for kids, a raffle, too.  I couldn’t leave Holy Trinity without a visit into the sanctuary of the church, here since 1913.  Others had the same idea, including friends Nina Blevins and Olivia Anderson, and Andrew Palousek.  Now in his 60s, he enjoyed a visit to the area leading to the bell tower.  As a child, he attended Holy Trinity, doing duty as a choir boy.  He has fond memories of climbing the bell tower ladder for a good hiding place with fellow choir boys many years ago.   Outside the church, after way too much good food, Charlie Halm opted for a short nap on the grounds.  Recalling how the church appears late in the day, I went home, looked at a few images on the computer, then returned for the exterior photo posted here.   I’m glad I dd.   It was a good day, another opportunity to learn about the culture of my area.   These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.