The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-07-26
oRlAT MsxloAN CHURCH.

Larger than Westminster, larger
even than st. Paul's, is the Church Of
santo Domingo. This great edinoe.
renowned In many countries. is known
not only for Its size but for the beauty
and magpifcence OF It's decorations
and the many historic events entwined
In It's history. The church was built
on consscrated ground. having been
the site of the martyrdom Of two Do
minican priests.
1t was early in the epoch OF Spanish
occupancy when Cortez sent velas-
quez de Leon from Mexico city to
Coatzacoalcos with 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 Oaxaca,
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
Of settlers and on the spot where the
church was afterward erected two of
the fathers were cruelty put to death.
BY 1860 there were number Of
Dominican friars in Oaxaca and the
question Of erecting church and con-
vent for the use of the order was agi-
tated. The exact date OF the beginning
of the work is not known, but 1t must
have been shortly after the middle Of
the sixteenth century they began the
work with 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 Spain for assistance. to which
he responded generously. From time
10 time the King sent other contribu-
tions and there was no halt in the
work.
st. Paul's cathedral In London meas
ures $40 by $50 feet and cost G747.954,
or 7,497,540 pesos. or some 100000
pesos less than Santo Domingo. Some
idea OF the size of the structure can
be obtained when II 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
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, 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 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 1t was not long until Oaxaca
was In the hands Of q French army.
Santo Domingo was turned into a bar
rack 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 moth
ing more. The accumulated granduer
Of 800 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 Presl-
dent Diaz to restore 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 edifce is an immense court,
nicely paved and enclosed with high
Iron fence. On each post is a bronze
Herald.