CZECH REPUBLIC (Česká Republika)

Capital: Prague (Praha)

Population: 10.49 million

Size: 30,500 sq. miles

Currency: Koruna

Language: Czech

Religion: Largely Roman Catholic

Geopolitical: EU member since 2004

The Czechs have a long and proud history in the State of Texas. In Texas’ fight for independence, it was a

Czech fifer who spurred Texans on to battle at San Jacinto. The state is now home to one of the largest

Czech-American populations in the US, with estimates suggesting up to 750,000 Texans tracing their

ancestry back to Bohemia and Moravia.

Texas boasts a vibrant Czech heritage, evident in its numerous festivals and celebrations, fraternal

organizations, music and cultural programs, Czech-language newspapers, and a wealth of books

dedicated to the Czech experience in Texas.

Early Czech immigration

This influx began in the 1850s, sparked by glowing descriptions of Texas' beauty, freedom, and

opportunities sent back by a Czech settler named Arnošt Bergmann. These early Czech immigrants were

known for their hard work and relied heavily on one another for support, forming numerous mutual aid

societies across the state.

In 1889, the PTCPS (První texaský česko‐moravský podporující spolek – 1st Texas Czech‐Moravian

Benevolent Society) split away from the 2nd Roman‐Catholic Central Society CPS (Český podpůrní

spolek) to form the KJT (Katolická jednota texaská, now the Catholic Union of Texas). The CSPS had

similar growing pains and in 1897 twenty‐five units broke away to form the SPJST (Slovanská podporující

jednota státu Texas).

Preserving Czech heritage

The 20th century brought with it a new demand for the struggling immigrants: Aid for the cause of

Czechoslovak freedom during World War I. In addition to the established Czech aid societies, this need

brought about the formation of new organizations. Two of these were the CNS (České národní sdružení,

Czech National Alliance), with 87 chapters organized in Texas, and the Včelky (Bees, a Czech women’s

sewing and knitting society to make sweaters and other items for soldiers of the Allied countries), with

chapters in Dallas, Nelsonville, Novy Tabor and Rosenberg.

Czech organizations in Texas

Czech organizations in Texas in the second half of 20th Century and in many cases, until now, include

CESAT (Czech Ex‐Students Association of Texas, formerly the Čechy Ex‐Students Association of Texas and

the Čechy Club at UT), CNS (České národní sdružení), CSPS (Česko‐slovanská podporující společnost), KD

(Katolický česko‐americký dělník), KJT (Katolická jednota texaská: https://www.kjtnet.org/ ) KJZT (Česká

římsko‐katolická jednota žen texaských), NSCK (Národní svaz českých katolíků), IRKUJ (První římská

katolická ústřední jednota), RPJSI (Rolnická podporující jednota sv. Isadora), RVOS (Rolnický vzájemmě

ochranný spolek státu Texas, https://rvos.com/), SOKOL (physical fitness, cultural and social

organization: https://american-sokol.org/ ), SPJST ((Slovanská podporující jednota státu

Texas: https://spjst.org/), SVPS (Slovanský vzájemní pojisťující spolek proti ohni a bouři), Včelky, ZCBJ

(Západní česko‐bratrská jednota), Texans of Czech Ancestry and Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center

in LaGrange (https://www.czechtexas.org/), Czech Heritage Society of Texas (https://czechheritage-

texas.org/), Texas Czech Genealogical Society in Ennis (https://www.txczgs.org/ ), Texas State Historical

Association (https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/czechs), Texas District of National Alliance

of Czech Catholics and many Texas Czechs Facebook groups, state-wide and in respective cities.