Cleveland High School - Beacon Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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xv! XVI XVI N l XQAQ AN' AWN HE SPANISH conquerors of the New World were much like o the crusaders in spiritg for they vanquished the native races of America in the name of God, and strove to con- quer the heathen under the banner of the cross. The Spaniards, fired with zeal of conquest, destroyed temples, demolished idols, and razed pyramids which had taken o Q centuries for completion. A reconstruction period fol- lowed in which the passion for erecting churches, con- vents, schools, colleges, and priestly residences replaced the one for destruction that had been so predominant in the first quarter of a century just after the conquest. Architects from Spain, and native masterbuilders, were employed to work under direction of the priests. The architecture of this first colonial period was greatly affected by Indian ideas, since the workmen were allnatives, who were left to a large extent to work out 'their own ideas, due to the fact that the Spaniards and Indians could not con- verse in a common language. These earlier structures are a curious admixture of Gothic, Renais- sance, Moorish and native American styles. They are plain and unpre- tentious when compared with those that followed, but dignified and inter- esting. About them still clings that mysterious atmosphere that the In- dian workman gave to all he touched in the years following the conquest when his ancient traditions were still vividly alive. , San Augustin Acolman as 'fs AN? 1:90 U si if 2 if if Iomfa OIXADX

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oyogm, NTO MEXICO, after the conquest, came missionaries, and spread all over the land and into what is now Southern Q California. The Franciscans were the first to offer them- selves for the work, beginning' with three from Flanders, and twelve Apostles of Mexico from Spain. They estab- lished centers of life and teaching, monasteries with gqp-5 churches and workshops, called missions Many are still standing, more or less in ruins. Later on, churches were built in towns and cities. This is a fine one, with its sturdy bell tower and domed roof. The steps, up which millions of men have walked- homesick to hear of the god of the old country, or curious to hear of this strange new god-curve invitingly to shelter the little white shrine at one side. There are odd contrasts, the little shrine is classic in detail, while the round beams' protruding from the wall at the left, are like those in Indian pueblos. The wave-like line at the top of the wall is character- istic. The bells are sometimes hung as in this well proportioned bell tower, and sometimes in belfries on the top of a wall. Spanish architecture was influenced by the Moors and Arabsg and the Moorish dome, often deco- rated with colored tiles, appealed to the Indian artists and builders after the conquest. They adopted it with fervor, and domes are seen everywhere in Mexico. Nearly every church has, besides its own majestic dome, one or more domed chapels closely attached to it. Even in remote places a dome peers over a hill or nestles in a valley, another touch of the Orient in our western world. These churches stand as brave monuments to a group of Spanish friars who determined to convert a nation. Church of Amecameca