Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1921-06-02
RUINED CHURCHES
TO Be RESTORED
Ancient CathedraIs, Damaged
During Mexican Revolutions,
Will Be RahabiItated.
MANY USED AS BARRACKS
Unusual Fascination of Mexican
Churches Lies in Their Mixed
Architecture-T;eas easures Taken
by Sacr,ieg,tus Vandals.

Monterey, Mex. -HeStoratiUn of the
church properties to Tie Catholic cler
gy by the MrEir;lm government is to
be followed by II general rehabilita
tion of many c,iiiccS which We're bad
ly damaged during the long period of
revolutions. In many instances mag
nticent churches We're used as bar
racks by soldiers. Gold and silver or
namcntS, rare paintings and other
things of value were stolen by sacri-
legiou, vandalS and probably will
never he recovered.
one of the things that impresSc$
the visitor to Mexico most strongly is
the number and beauty of the
churches OF the country, FriteS Il
Monterey correspondent of the New
York sun. In mnin@ camps. vii
lagos, hacienGas. III every place. in
fact. where there is human hahla-
ton. a church may b" found. Some
of the older buildings erected in the
early days of Spanish control are in
ruins. but many remain intact and
are still in use.
IL ll'lN lf'll Sill'l lI'll INV Ni''N'''i
fascination of MrNi"an churches lies
in Their mixed architccturc the Chris
tinn SpiYe. the Moorish dome, the In
dian facades, the Saraccnic coloring
and. added to this, the fact that the
wor&nen employed by the Spanish
artists and architects We're Indians,
who left the Impress of their own
tl,
buildings
A Remarkable Church.
One of the most beautiful and re-
markable of the early Mexican
churches is the one in the little min
ing village of Nalenciana, in the noun
tainS nf Guanaiuato. This church
was erected in 1863 at a cost of more
than S1.OOO.0OO by the count of Ealen-
cana. who at that time was said ("
be the richest man in the world.
On the top OF the hill on which the
village is built stands the big church.
Surrounding it and built into the hill
are apartments which We're formerly
used as convent and fortress, but
which are now occupied as stores and
dwellings. Near by has been erected
Il monument To the man who erected
the edfice. The narrow pathway To
the church leads to a broad flight OF
Stcps into the old churchyard. bright
ly cOlored flowers and vne-huns trel-
liSes.
Entrance into the church is made
through eXquisitely carved doors set
i'm richly ornamented walls. To the
right is the Sacrsty, where are kept
the magnificent baptismal font, sur
mounted by halo and dove, all
of gold; the veStments of gold EN-
broidered Oh rich cloth of satin and
velvet in brilliant coors, numerous
images of the saints, the virgin used
in the various calendar celebrations
and an immense crucitX. These are
all kept in large closets which are
readily opened for the inspection of
visitors.
Certain Rare Paintings.
In the church proper is maSnitl-
cent altar of immense size and re-
markable beauty, richly ornamented
with elaborate fretwork and exquisite
carving. The pulpit is entirely OF in
laid mosaics of curious pattern. Large,
gold framed mirrors and rare paint
ings adorn the walls. Many of the
paintings depict scenes from the life
of Christ and the lives of the saints.
One of the handsomest of the por-
traits is that of San Cayetano, pa
tron saint of Guanajuato. Along the
sides are to be found old wardrobes
of chests and set of antique draw
ing room furniture Of rosewood and
mahogany of rare and wonderful de-
sign, imported from Spain.
One of. the most interesting features
of the church is the miracle chapel
where there Is an altar of unusual
beauty and richness. In this room
are hung many small artificial arms,
legs, hearts and other members OF
the body, with inscriptions attesting
the miracles performed by the Virgin,
who, it is believed by the devout folk
of the community, dwells there. The
Virgins image, under glass case, is
adorned with a priceless set of pearls,
including necklace, earrings and
bracelets.