The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-10-27


LOUISVILLE. XIV NEW YORK.. NJ
The little Church of Notre Dame de
SOulac enjoyed high honor in the early
history of France. There is a letter Of the
sixth century preserved, in which For
tunat. Bishop of Poitiers, writes to mis-
friend Leonce, Archbishop of Bordeaux,
congratulating the latter on the famous
Church in honor of Our Lady in his do
cese, which ne had repaired and lighted
with so many lamps that it was filled
with perpetual daylight" This has been
shown to be the same church founded
by St. Veronica.
a succession Of fierce. pagan barbar-
ians then ravaged this coast. Visigoths,
Saracens and Norsemen in turn swept
over it.
Medoc was particularly exposed. It was
impossible TO defend it against the Morse
men, and 50 in the ninth century, the
body of St. Veronica was removed 10
Bordeaux. The Norsemen wrecked and
desecra ted many churches, including that
founded by ST. Veronica. Then they set
tied down, became Christians and peo-
pied Normandy.
neglected, but 1t seems decreed by
heaven that no adverse circumst ances
shall cause this sacred foundation to be
lost. In the middle of the tenth century,
William the Good. Count of Bordeaux. in
a pious moment asked mis- confessor
where he might best build a church. He
told him of the ancient foundation of st.
Veronica, and the count was pleased at
the suggestion. The abandoned chapel
was found too near the sea 10 be used as
a site for the new church, and this was
begun a short distance inland. Thus, in
the middle of the tenth century, near the
ruins of the primitive foundation new
church of Soulac was built. but a century
or more elapsed before its completion
This is the church which still stands on
the sandy shore. It's capitals are dec
GRATED with figures of Norman knights,
resembling closely those found on the
famous Bayeux tapestry, showing that
these could not have been added later then
the eleventh. century.
This chapel, or basilica. as It had now
become, had a large doorway and was
sur-mounted by dome with rectangu-
lar bell tower. Within the walls was a
spring Of clear water. said to have sprung
forth at the prayer of St. Veronica, and a
statue OF this saint herself.
Such was the church in the thirteenth
century, when the ocean began to change
its shores. The huge sand dunes were
driven irresisdbly back upon the walls of
the church by the strong west winds
sweeping over the sea The waters began
10 leave the very foundations Of the
church, which were strengthened at first,
but when the march Of hte sea was found
to be relentless. the sacred relics were
removed 70 a chapel up higher.
BY the close Of the seventeenth century.
much of the population had been driven
away by the invasion of the ocean, which
still continued to heap its sands around
the old church. The walls were first COW
cred up to the window seats. then grad
Ually the windows were filed up by the
invading sands. Tue church was perforce
deserted. There is eXtant a record by a
ntary dated February Is, l744. stating that
the entrance 20 the church IS entirely
closed by the sand, and worship is no
longer possible there.
Some Of the Pensioners favored tear
ing down the walls and using the mater
ial Tor building a new church further in
land. but the Chamber Of Commerce Of
Bordeaux opposed the idea. stating nat
tie bell tower was an Indispensable guide
for navigation. The Minister of Public
Works offered the Pensioners 1000 livres
a. an indemnity for the loss of the build
ing material. which was accepted, and a
new church was built IN Young S0ulac."
This ended the life of Not-e Dame &c Sou
lac for more than century. sand swept
over i,s roof and round is tower filled
its nayes and chancel and the storms %
Pcean awakened is bell 20 life when At
taeir Hercest.
A. the end OF the eighteenth century.
Bremontier suggested that the seashors
might De preserved from further erosion
by planting sea pines On g. These trees.
called the golden" proved a treasure n
the inhabitants OF the coast ~ frs +,
was necessary 70 protect the Young plants
with branches, n some 0'aces they we're
replanted ten or fifteen times. bu, finally
time and patience prevailed. ard the
plains Of Gascony we're protested by FOR
ests OF pines shading ard fer-Hizi0g che
barren coas-. and S0lidify.uS us sands.
Tais prepared FOR the resurrection % sou
lac and its basllica. The northeast winds
nesan 20 lA-e lle NoEh % -ne SaFag2
west winds, blowing toe sand aNsy from
tns old bell tower bringing 20 view rhe
& sold stone walls n the church. opening
+ window after window visitors were a.
E ,rsctsd by che woDGerfu, ruin ard :u 1872
+ AID again in 1876. che Commits. On on His
( toricai Monuments Or his session visited
I these sand dunes and made report upou
( ne state Of this monument. Tee bell ,ow-
er was partially looseced. -5e facade.
( enough someWhs; saaken. SIN kept is
: position. and tae top % ,he entrance vas
tsio.e 5The Commission made some Pa
/ tcaic observations upon '-this ancient and
( venerable ruin" bur ala nothing
Attention had beer attracted 70 Soulac
and few summer cottages were buil,
I near 1he old church. one - ,he torestsrs
I took Up his res 5snce N the coucr q -ne
Continued OF Third Pzge)