The German Catholic farming community of Scotland literally struck up the band on September 22, 1911, to greet Father Ferdinand Shiessel as he stepped off the train in Henrietta to take over the pastoral duties at the newly constructed St. Boniface Catholic Church in Scotland. Escorting him all the way to the new church, the band played on for the priest and his mother, who served as his bookkeeper.

Father Shiessel arrived in a town established in 1907 by Henry Scott of Toronto, Canada. Scotland, which took the name of its founder, headed the arrival of the Southwestern Railroad and boasted 600 people by 1910. That same year, construction began on St. Boniface Catholic Church in Scotland. It was completed in 1911 at a cost of $10,000 with generous donations of both time and money from local parishioners.

Prior to construction of the church and Father Shiessel's arrival, the strong Catholic faith community of Scotland was served by Father P.H. Kline from St. Mary Catholic Church in Henrietta. He made the 25-mile trip every three months to celebrate Mass in Scotland at a local school.

By the time Diocese of Dallas Bishop Joseph P. Lynch dedicated St. Boniface on June 11, 1913, it was widely known as the "Jewel on the Prairie," an appropriate description for a church gem radiant with intense faith in Christ, stunning architecture and inspirational artwork.

St. Boniface, still largely in its original form, is an inviting country church. Upon entering the church, a stairway on the left leads to a choir loft. Then, after passing through the vestibule, a second set of doors leads to the body of the church. Once inside, the faithful are flanked by eight white columns rising to support the cathedral ceiling and roof. Ornate pressed tin adorns the walls.

A long aisle, with original wooden benches on either side, leads to the altar, which is flanked by angels holding candelabras. A large cross with the crucified Jesus hangs on the wall behind the altar.

While the main altar was modified to conform with Vatican II, its original base is still used. The gas chandelier, which hung in the church when it was built in 1911, is still in use, although it has been converted to electricity.

Side altars, Stations of the Cross, stained-glass windows and pews are all original.

St. Boniface maintained a school starting in 1910. Run by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, it was enlarged in 1929 and served until 1969.

In 2005, a generous parishioner donated a black decorative wrought iron fence, which now encompasses the church grounds, including a cemetery behind the church.

On November 6, 2011, St. Boniface observed its 100th anniversary, with Diocese of Fort Worth Bishop Kevin W. Vann joining in the celebration of Mass.

In his homily for parishioners of the "Jewel of the Prairie," Bishop Vann recognized the faith community past and present of Scotland.

"A jewel is something that can reflect light where maybe it could not be seen before," Bishop Vann said. "That is all of you - the living jewels. This family of faith has reflected the light of Christ to all here for all these years."

Bishop Vann also visited the cemetery behind the church and said to the living that the cemetery is a reminder of the communion the faithful share with those who passed this way before them.

St. Boniface parishioners continue to be active in their community, participating in several ministries. Today, 200 Catholics call St. Boniface their spiritual home.

- From The Diocese of Fort Worth: Beyond the Frontiers of Faith by Jerry Circelli ©2019