Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-10-01
GREAT MEXICAN CHURCH.
Many Years in Building-Used as a
Fort and Barracks.

Many Years in Building-Used as
Fort and Barracks.
Larger than Westminster, larger
even than st. Paul's, is the church Of
Santo Domingo. This great edifice
renowned in many countries, Is known
not only for it's size, but for the beau
ty and masnificence of its decorations
and the many historic events entwln-
ed in its history, says the Mexican
Herald. The church was built on con-
secrated ground, having been the site
of the martyrdom Of two Dominican
priests.
It was early in the epoch Of Spanish
occupancy when Cortez sent Velas-
uuez de Leon from Mexico City to
Coatzacoalcos with a band Of men to
protect that port In those days the
road lay through Oaxaca. OF Oaxaca
itself little was known other than the
news taken back by the few expedi-
tions that had been sent to the south
by the conqueror. Velasquez de Leon
brought some settlers for Oaxlca,
among them being several Dominican
friars. After the soldiers had pro-
ceeded on their way to the port the
Indians rose against the small band or
settlers and on the spot where the
church was afterward erected two OF
the fathers were cruelty put to death.
BY 1850 there were a number of
Dominican friars in Oaxaca, and the
question Of erecting church and
convent for the use Of the order was
I'M, aat 1nf fn nf a
ginning Of the work Is not known, but
II must have been shortly after the
middle Of the 18th century they be-
gan the work with a few laborers,
who gave their services, and every
member Of the order worked hard COL
lecting more funds. A petition was
sent to the king Of Spain for assis-
tance. to which he responded gener-
ously, From time to time the king
sent other contributions, and there
was no halt in the work.
st. Pauls Cathedral in London
measures $40 by $50 feet and cost
g747,954, or 7,497,540 pesos, or some
5, ,OOO, 900 pesos less than Santo Domin-
go. Some idea Of the size of the struc-
ture can be obtained when 1t Is con-
sidered that four buildings the size
of Westminster Abbey could be set
on the ground covered by this Domin-
lean temple. At the present time,
however, only a small part of the
church is used for worship, the other
portions having been converted into
barracks by the government.
Owing to the great height and
thickness Of the walls Of the church
it has been used for fort on any and
every occasion when necessary. NO
wars however, marred the serenity
of the early Dominicans, and each
year saw the church increasing In
wealth. The library was ranked
among the greatest in the republic.
The interior of the church was dec
Grated in many places with pure
gold. The first drug store in the city
of Oaxaca was opened by the Domin-
leans in the temple.
When the struggle with the French
began IL was not long until OaXaca
was in the hands of a French army.
Santo Domingo was turned into a
barrack and the gold decorations, the
fine paintings and costly adornments
were ruthlessly stripped from her
walls. The friars were driven out
and for six years the church was
fort and nothing more. The accumu-
done in a few brief months. The great
er part of the structure Is still used
| by the Federal garrison.
About ten years ago Archblshop
Gillow received permission from Pres
ident Diaz to restore a portion OF the
church, Thousands Of dollars were
spent on the interior Of the main
chapel, which Is ranked as the most
handsome Of the republic. The deco
rations on the ceilings were executed
at great cost Surrounding the front
of the edifice Is an immense court
nicely paved and enclosed with high
iron fence. On each post Is a bronze
angel