KJT, Ammannsville

At the end of 1888, Father Chromcik and Czech Catholic men met in Hostyn, TX. The latter expressed their dissatisfaction with the membership in the insurance organizations which had their headquarters in the northern states.

The Texans were charged with a higher premium than the members living in the northern area of the US due to the estimated shorter life expectancy in Texas. According to those northern organizations, the calculated higher death risk factor included the presence of Indians and mosquitoes spreading malaria and yellow fever. The Texans saw it all differently and believed that the Texas air and climate were more beneficial to health and favored a longer life than the atmospheric conditions in the northern states.

During the discussion held at the meeting, Father Chromcik suggested creating a local insurance organization. On 4 July 1889, the Czech Catholic Union of Texas (Katolicka Jednota Teksaska) started their work. Initially, it had 150 members (Catholic men and boys only). Besides the insurance, KJT provides also assistance to disabled and indigent members and supports future priest studies. Furthermore, the organization promotes the Chech language and culture.

We visited Ammannsville, Fayette County, during our "Painted Churches of Texas" day trip.

Source: "The Texians and the Texans. The Czech Texans" The University of Texas, Institute of Texan Cultures, 1972.
Photo: KJT Hall, Ammannsville, TX