Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-05-09
CHURCHES OF MEXICO,
The Grand Cathedral and the ex-Ip
auisition BuIIdIny

American, but | only propose to DESERT
two or three of the most prominen
First comes the Grand Cathedral, and
isa building worthy ofthe name of gran
and of its history. The Grand Cati edrs
is one of the most imposing buildings G
Mexico, and Immediately attracts tn
attention and Clicits the admiration c
the sirdn.er. 1t is situated in fro @
the mains square, and surrounded by vel
kept garden. 1t is built on the very spo
where once stood tie Aztec Teocallis
devoted to the worship of the grea
Mexican sod of war, Huitzilopoxth. Til,
conquerer Cortes ordered the destruction
fthis heathen temple, and a first cathe
dral was built upon its site in 1880. Thi.
being too small it was subsequently
demolished and the present structure
commenced in 1873 and completed in
1867, at a cost of nearly 100000, this
being really the value of the material
employed, for most of the labcrers
worked gratis out of a devout feeling
The towers were commenced by the
architect Lozano and finished in 17O1 by
the Mexican artist Damain Ortiz. Ninety
quadruple pillars, each thirty five feet
in circumference, support its grand arch
ed roof. Twenty five chapels lead into
the main structure and form part of it.
Forty priests can say mass at the same
time upon the altars, the center one of
which is masterpiece of art and beauty.
One OF the organs counts more than 5000
pipes. The building is 42S feet long by
2OS in width. The roof is 179 feet high,
and the height oftowers from the grou d
is very nearly 2S0 feet. The width of
these towers is about thirty three feet
square, and have withstood many severe
shocks of earthquake. To the right of
the main entrance of the cathedral is the
most fashionable parochial church in the
city called Ell Sagrario, and is of itself an
elegant and imposing edifice.
The next church in Importance in the
city is the Church of Santo Domingo.
This was at one time the wealthiest &C.
clesiastical institution in Mexico, con-
trolle1 by the Dominican friars, who,
being the chief inquisltors, had access to
and exerted unlimited influence in all
classes of society and departments of
government. Not even the viceroy
could escape their constant vigilance,
and they were feared and respected by
the bigh and low, by the military, and
by the clergy of other denominations.
The church retains yet much of its for
mer splendor and is one of the hand
somest in the city. There is beautiful
gilt woodwork, some old and valuable
paintings, and other attractions in this
historical temple.
The Church of La Pfofesa is on, of the
most fashionable chuc ches in the city,
aud was once the nucleus of the Jesuit
power in Mexico 1t is situated on one
efthe principal streets. San Francisco
and San Jose el Real. Many, or rather |
most OF the buildings formerly belonging
to it have been TUNED to other purposes
the handsome blocks now called "Del |
CInco de Mayo 18th of Msy, in honor of |
the battle won by the Mexican repuhh-
cans over the French troops in Puebly,
on May 3, 1862, having been cut through |
The converts and seminaries once occu
pied by the Jesults, whose wealth and |
power were at one time almost unlimited |
many efthe revolutions and disturbances
which distracted Mexico during long
period of time having originated within
the walls ofthis now peaceful and aristo-
cratic temple of worship.
We next visited the ex inuuisi;ion
building. This edifce, which at one
tlme presented a most sombre and
gloomy appearance, and within whose
massive walls so many bloody dramas
have been enacted, "in the interest and
glory OF God," as the Dominican fanatics
styled it, is situated at the northeast
corner of the Plaza de Santa Domingo,
near the customhouse and the ex-
convent and church of the same name.
During the palmy days of the inquisitlyn
suhterranean passage communicated |
he building with the convent, and when |
excavations were made |
lnG a portion of the building was torn |
Down to give way to modern improve
nents, numerous skeletons, mummies,
and human remains were found as silent |
but awe inspiring witnesses of the afro
eftIaa nnrnnntftnI -, thA 1f
religion. Although considerably remod-
eled and improved, the building retains
still many of lis iginal features; the
massive corridors supported by no less
massive columns; the court from which
door lead into what were once tha
prisoners dungeons, and the dark, long
balls, where the sun seldom shines, all
lend TO bring the visitor back to those
dark times, which. fortunately, will re-
urn no more. This buil,ing is now
used as medical college, ahd has been
well adapted for the purpose. 1t contains
among other features, a large dissecting
Foom, an anatomical museum, ald a fine
Elegantly furnished hall, where the ex-
limitations are held. 1t is attended by
'ome 200 students. who receive instruct.
ons from a large and able staff of pro.
esslors, principally the most prominent
surgeons and physicians in the country.
In paying our respects to D. B. Strother
rorte Crayon), the United States consul
general located here, we found our
worthy representative occupying one of
,ie me Wigs Ofthis old inquisition building.
we thought it a strange place for a
consular Office, but a good one for quiet
md we concluded Mr.. Strother did not