The long, hot Texas summer is almost over and there are lots of events scheduled for the last holiday weekend of the season, including several church bazaars on the Sunday before Labor Day. It’s hard to decide which ones to attend, but here’s several of them that relate to our Polish Texan heritage.
St. Stanislaus In Chappell Hill Bazaar
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Chappell Hill, Texas was founded in 1889 by the early Polish immigrant farmers that came to Washington County to take advantage of the fertile land in that area.
The parish will be hosting their 74th annual homecoming bazaar on Sunday, September 4, 2011 on the church grounds.
A catered barbecue meal will be served starting at 11am. Activities start at noon and include Arts and Crafts, Children’s Games, Country Store, Train Ride, Grocery, Toy, Cake, Ham and Sausage Booths. The live auction starts at 2 pm and bingo starts at 2:30 pm. A battle of the bands begins at 5 pm featuring Daniel Cendalski and the Country Boys and Zentexas. At 9pm, the raffle winners will be drawn from a list of 24 great prizes.
For more information see St. Stanislaus information on the Diocese of Austin website.
St. Joseph In New Waverly Bazaar
New Waverly has often been referred to as the cradle of Polish immigration for Southeast Texas. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Waverly, Texas was founded in 1869 by the early Polish settlers who came to the area as part of the Waverly Emigration Society and the first church was built in 1877.
The parish will be hosting their annual homecoming bazaar on Sunday, September 4, 2011 on the church grounds.
Activities include a barbecue dinner and Mexican food, booths and games for adults and children, raffle and a live auction.
For more information see St. Joseph’s website.
St. Mary in Plantersville Bazaar
St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Plantersville, Texas whose official name is Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Immaculate Conception was founded in 1894. The most recent church building was built in 1917 by German settlers, but there were many early Grimes County Polish settlers who were a part of this parish.
The parish will be hosting their annual homecoming bazaar on Sunday, September 4, 2011 on the church grounds.
A delicious barbecue brisket, pork and sausage dinner will be served starting at 10:30 am. There will be lots of fun for the whole family with grocery, cake, toy, fruit, plant and sausage booths, arts and crafts and children’s games. The live auction begins at 1:00 pm in the large air conditioned tent. Chris Rybak, the Accordion Cowboy and his lovely wife Edita will be providing live music entertainment throughout the day.
This popular bazaar is well worth the trip just for the tour of the beautifully restored and recently enlarged German painted church.
For more information see St. Mary’s website.
James Smock has always held an interest in his Polish ancestors and heritage. He is a native Houstonian with Polish roots in Bremond, Marlin and New Waverly, Texas.