Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-09-14

even than st. Paul's, is the Church OF
Santo Domingo. This great edifics,
renowned in many countries, is known
not only for its size but for the beauty
and magniicence OF it's decorations
and 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
minlcan priests.
IL was early in the epoch OF Spanish
occupancy when Cortez sent Velas-
QueZ de Leon from Mexico city to
CoatzacoelcOs with band OF men 10
protect that port In those days the
road lay through Oaxacs. or OaNaca
itself little was known other than the
news taken back by the few expedi.
lions tha had been sent 70 the south
by the cCnquenor. VelasQuez de Leon
brought some settlers for Oaxaca,
among them being several Dominican
trilrs. After the soldiers had pro.
ceeded on their way TO the port the
Indians rose against the small bana
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 OaNaca 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
vi the work is not known, but it mus,
have been shortly after the middle OF
the sixteenth century they began the
work with 4 few Iaborers. who gave
their services, and every member OF
the order worked hard collecting more
funds. A petition was sent to the
King of Sp2in for assistance, to which
he responder generously. From time
TO time the King sent other contribu.
lions and there was no halt in the
work.
st. Pauls cathedral in London meas
ures $40 by $50 feet and cost G747954.
or 7,4975I0 pesos, or some 5,OO0,O0O
pesos less than Santo Domingo. Some
idea of the size OF the structure can
be obtained whom it is considered that
four buildings the size OF Westminster
Abbey could be set on the ground COW
cred by this Dominican 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 thick
ness Of the walls OF the church 1t has
been used for fort on any and every
occasion when necessary. No wars,
however, marTed 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 the French
began it was not long until OaXaca
was in the hands OF a French army
Santo Domingo was turned into bar
rack and the gold decorations, the fine
paintings and costly adOrnments were
futhlessly stripped from her walls
The friars were driven out and for six
years the church was fort and moth
Ing more. The accumulated granduer
Of 900 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 Gil
low received permission from Prosi-
dent Diaz to restore a portion Of the
church. Thousands OF dollars were
spent on the interior of the main
chapel, which ID ranked as the most
handsome OF the republic The dec
orations on the ceilings were executed
at great cost. Surrounding the front
Of the edifce is an immense court,
nicely paved and enclosed with high
iron fence. On each post is a bronze
angel.-Mexican Herald.