Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-11-15
GREATEST CHURCH

Larger than Westminster. larges
even than 81. Pauls, is the Church OF
banto Domingo. This great edifioe,
renowned in many countries. Is knowp
not only for its size but for the beauty
and magnificence OF its decorations
aud the many historic events entwined
In its history The church was built
on consecrated ground. having been
the site OF the martyrdom Of two Do
minican priests
1t was carly in the epoch Of Spanish
occupancy when Cortez sent VelaS-
queZ de Leon from Mexico city TO
Coatzaco2lcos with band OF men 20
protect that port In those days the
road lay through Oaxaca OF Oaxaca
Itself little was known other than the
rows taken back by The few expedt-
tons tina. had been sent TO the south
by the ccnqueror. Vclasquez de Leon
brought some settlers for Oaxaca.
among them being several Dominican
friars After the soldiers had pro-
ceedod on their way 70 the port the
Indians rose against the small band
OF settlers and on the spot where the
church was afterward erected two OF
the fathers were cruelty put TO death
By 1850 there were number OF
Dominican friars In Oaxaca and the
question Of erecting a church and con-
vent for'the use Of the order was agi.
lated. The exact date Of the beginning
or the work is not known, but it must
have been shortly after the middle OF
The sixteenth century they began the
work with 4 few labOrers, who gave
their services, and every member Of
the order worked hard collecting moro
FUNDS. a petition was sent TO the
King Of Spain for assistance, TO which
ne responded generously. From time
TO time the King sent other contribu.
lions and there was no halt in the
work.
St PauIs cathedral in London meas
ures $40 by $50 feet and cost E747, 1854,
or 7,I9G540 pesos, or some 5000, 900
pesos less than Santo Domingo. Some
idea OF the size OF the structure can
be obtained when it is considered that
FOUR buildings the size of Westminster
Abbey could be set on the ground COW
~
the present time, however, only q
small part OF the church is used for
worship, the other portions having
been converted into barracks by the
Government
owing 10 the great height and thick
ness OF the walls Of the church it has,
been used for fort on any and every
w
however, maFred 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 decorated in many places
with pure gold. The first drug store
In the city of OaXaca Was opened by
The Dominicans in the temple.
When the struggle with tie French
began it was not long until OaXsca
was in the hands of French army
Santo Domingo was turned into a bar
rack and the gold decorations, the fine
paintings and costly adOrnmcnts were
futhlessly stripped from her walls.
The frfars were driven out and for six
years the church was fort and moth
Ing more. The accumulated granduer
of 300 years was undOne in a few brief
months. The greater part of the
structure is still used by the Federal
garrison.
About ten years ago Archbishop Gill
low received permission from Presi-
dent 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 dec
orations on the ceilings were executed
at great cost Surrounding the front
Of the ediflce is an immense court,
niSely paved and enclosed with high
Iron fence. On each post IS bronze
AnGel.-Mexican Herald
AIfanfora