The state herald., 1909-05-28


even than st. Paul's is the church of
Santo Domingo. This great edifice.
renowned in many countries, is known
not only for its size. but Tor the beauty
and magnificence Of its decorations
and the many historical events en-
twined In its history. The church was
built on consecrated ground. having
been the site of the martyrdom Of two
Dominican priests.
1t was early in the epoch Of Spanish
occupancy when Cortez sent Velasquez
de Leon from Mexico city to Coatza-
coalcos with band OF men to protect
that port. In those days the road lay
through Oaxaca. OF Oaxaca itself, L.
tie was known other than the news
taken back by the few expeditions 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 proceeded on their
way to the port. the Indians rose
against the small band of settlers, and
on the spot where the church was aft.
erwards erected two OF the fathers
were cruelty put to death.
BY 1850 there were n number OF Do.
minican friars In Oaxaca and the ques.
tion OF erecting church and convent
for the use Of the order was agitated.
The exact date OF the beginning OF the
work is not known. but 1t must have
been shortly after the middle OF the
10th century they began the work with
n few laborers who donated their serv.
Ices 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 to time the
king sent other contributions and
there was no halt In the work
St Paul's cathedral In London meas.
ures 5l0 by $50 feet and cost s7i7..
95i or 7.i79.5i0 pesos. or some mil
lion less than Santo Domingo. Some
idea OF the size OF the structure can be
obtained when Il Is considered that
four buildings the size OF Westminster
abbey could be set on the ground GOV.
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. II has
(..s .aA
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 great.
est In the republic. The Interior OF
the church was decorated In many
places with pure gold. The frst drug
store In tho city of oaxnca was opened
by the Dominicanr In tho temple.
when the struggle with the French
began II was not long until oaraca was
In the hands OF u French army. San.
to Domingo was turned into barrack
and the gold decorations. the fine
paintings and costly adornmcntu were
ruthicssiy stripped from her walls.
The friars were driven out and for
six years the church was fort and
nothing more. The accumulated
grandeur OF 200 years was undono In
few brief months.
The greater part OF the structure IL
still used m u bnrrnck by the federal
garrison. About ten years ago Arch
bishop Giilow received permission
from President Dinn To restore n por.
ton OF the church. Thousands OF dol.
lars were spent on III. Interior Of the
main chapel. which In ranked as the
most handsom. OF the republic. Tho
decorations on the ceilings were exc.
cut-d at great cost
Surrounding the front Of the edlncc
Ia an immens. court. nicely paved and
ineiosed with a high iron fence. ON
each post Ia bronze angel three feet
high.
Ono Of the most daring acts recorded
n the history OF Moxioo was the seal