|
|
History
in a Pecan Shell
Cestahowa was a logical offshoot of the first Polish settlement
at Panna
Maria. About 40 families made the move. Even though as immigrants,
they lived as a group, the Poles understood the wisdom of keeping
some distance between families. It was close enough for residents
to attend services at the Immaculate Conception Church each Sunday
if they were so inclined, and the priest from Panna
Maria would come to Cestohowa once a month, if they didn't want
to make the trip.
When lightning struck the Panna Maria Church - the residents of Cestohowa
felt the time had come to build their own church and so they did.
The church was built in 1877-78.
About 10 years later, other families moved to the new town of Kosciusco,
across the Wilson
County line.
Economic setbacks and the loss of their bank and post office reduced
the population around 1914-18. By 1936, there were only 100 people
in town - about the same as it was in 1990. |
 |
The Blessed
Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Cestohowa
Photo
courtesy Barclay
Gibson, April 2005 |
Cestohowa,
Texas Forum
Subject:
Naming of Cestohowa
Originally the town's name was Czestochowa, which is a name of a
rather large city in southern Poland which is home to the painting
of Our Lady of Czestochowa, revered by Poles as much as Virgen de
Guadalupe is loved by the Mexicans. I understand the change in name,
Czestochowa is impossible to pronounce for English speakers - Wojtek
Felendzer, Irving, Texas, January 12, 2005
Why doesn't
the lovely Sister
Agnes do a full sized photo of the beautiful parish church at
Cestohowa - better still a long exposure full sized image of the
church at night - it is as impressive as any European church. -
Lawrence Linehan, Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire, UK, July 05, 2002
|
Cestohowa residence
TE Photo
June 2001 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
|
|
HOME
Texas
Gulf Coast
East
Texas
Central
Texas North
Central
Texas South
Texas
Panhandle
South
Texas
Texas
Hill Country
West
Texas
Texas
Ghost Towns
Texas
Counties
