The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1910-03-31

estiEft4. y - = ~ 81 iNRGf-
Larger than westminster. larger
even than ST. Paurs. Is the Church OF
santo DonlIn go. This great edflire,
renowned In many countries is known
not only for It's size but for the beauty
and nitcence fof Its deenratf lions
and the many historic erents entwined
in Its history. The chnreh; was built
on seonsecrated ground, having been
the site of the nartyrdom OF two Do-
minican priests.
1t was early In the epoch of Spanish
occupancy when Cortez sent Felas-
quez de Leon from Mexico, city to
coatzacoaleos with q band or men 10
protect that port In those days the
road lay through Oaraca or :Oaxaca
Itself little was known other than the
news taken back by the few expedI-
tions that had been sent 10 the south
by the conqueror. Velasquez de Leon
brought some. settlers for OaSaca.
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 waa afterward erected two of
the fathers were cruelty put 10 death.
\ BY 1850 there were number OF
Dominican friars In Oaxaca end the
/, question OF erecting q church and con-
vent for the use OF the order was aTi-
tated. The exact date OF the beginning
OF the work Is not known; but II must
have been shortly after the middle Of
the sixteenth century they began the
work with a few Taborers, 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, 10 which
he responded generously. From time
to time the King sent other contrihu-
| lions and there was no halt in the
work.
st. Paul's cathedral in London meas
ures $40 by go feet and cost 6 al, 1854.
or 7,49T $40 pesos, or some 50lO.0G0
pesos less than Santo Domingo. Some
idea OF the size OF the structure can
be obtained when 1t 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 IL has
been used for fort on any and every.
occasion when necessary. No wars.
however, married 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 oaxacat was opened by
the Dominicans in the temple.
When the. struggle with the French
began it was not long until Oaxaca
WINS In the hands of "a French army.
;Santo Domingo was turned into q bar
rack and the, gold decorations. the fine
paintings and costly adnrnments were
ruthlessly stripped rom her walls
The frlars were driven out. and for six
years the church was fort and Moth
Ing lanre. 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 Presi-
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 ediflce is an immense court.
nicely paved and enclosed with q high
iron fence. On each post Is a bronze
anGel.-Mexican Herald. 4