Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-10-02
HISTORIC STONE CARVING.
An Old Altar Piece Formerly in the
Military Church-Sketch Of
La Castrence.

The Territorial Historical society
has recently come into possession of
valuable and interesting relic through the
kindness of Hon. Amado Chaves.
This is an important portion of the
altar piece, which was in the Military
church on the plaza. Those who are
familiar with the Historical rooms will all
remember portion of the same stone
altar piece which stands near the door,
aud was kindly contributed years ago by
DR.. Enos Andrews, The altar piece was
of limestone, carved in high relief; the
virgin and child occupying an oval in the
center, surrounded by carefully wrought
flowers and birds. The inscription, as
far as it appears on the pieces now in the
historical rooms, is as follows:
"ANO DE 1891. ESTA FABA. Sc
HYZO CON Ell COSTO DE OCHO MIL
p"
1t appears that when the altar piece
was removed from the church the three
pieces of stone of which it was com posed
were separated, and were used as orna
mental signs on the principal public
buildings, the coat Of arms of Mexico be-
ing carved on the back of each, and the
original carving being turned to the wall
and Embedded in masonry. The section
now recovered bears no inscription, but
that which has been long on exhibition
was used at the postot1ice and is carved
with the words "Correos de Santa Fe."
| If stones were animate and could ex-
press their feelings what an interesting
reunion would have taken place when
these two stones, which for long years had
formed part of one artistic design, but
have now been separated for over half
century, were once more uLited! What
experiences each could relate to the other
of the events in the intervening period,
including the time of the American occu-
patton and of the month when the con-
federates held the city! 1t is certainly to
be hoped that in time the third piece may
come to the society, and the artlstic work
be seen in its entirety.
In connection with this interesting his
toric relic we print the following sketch
of the "Castrence,n the real name of which
was "The Church of Our Lady of Light"
which has been furnished by an excellent
authority:
"Once upon time there was church
in the city of Santa Fe, built and used for
the special benefit of the Spanish and
Mexican soldiers. This church was of
the exact size of the Guadalupe church
which is standing today. The troops were
all in the habit of attending services once
month and on special occasions. These
special occasions were frequent, when
ever the soldiers went out after the savage
n Ind afu
capital, bringing captives to be made
Christians, special high mass was cele-
brated in the Oastrence and a solemn
TeDeum sung in acknowledgment to the
Most High for the happy result of the
expedition. The altar of the old church
contained many valuable paintings and
in the center there was carved stone
which at that time was considered the
most valuable of its kind in the terri
tory. Many years ago Don Simon Del
gado gave the property at present occu-
pied by the San Miguel college in exchange
to Bishop Lamy for the Castrence. He
at once tore down the church and built
his home upon the historic site. The
house of Don Simon is standing yet.
His widow occupies the part that faces
on Water street and Don Felipe B. Del
gado occupies the part that faces San
Francisco street. During the time of
Governor Armijo he made it a custom
never to fail to attend services at the
Castrence, once month, with all the
troops, accompanied by his staff in full
Uniform. The grave yard of the chapel
was on the site where the Spiegelberg
block is now situated. The remains were
removed when that block was put up.
The bones we're inferred near the cathed-
/ pa1V