the beautiful santa cruz church

Tomorrow, Sunday, the solemn inauguration of the Santa Cruz Church will take place; built in the southern part of Tucson, due to the efforts and the direction of His Excellency, Bishop Henri Granjon, who has expended great zeal that the construction be worthy of this city, and which he has so advantageously attained, since as of now, the said church contains within itself unimprovable conditions of solidity and aesthetics.

Today, being graciously invited by the Rev. Father Lucas de San Jose C.D., we had the pleasure of making a visit to the church, receiving the most agreeable impressions, not only as to detail, but also in its entirety.

The temple, the Monastery and the school, are built in a rectangular area of 700 front feet by 400 deep, all constructed in severe Mission style, that brings to mind those beautiful edifices of the XVI century which acquired such renown throughout all America for their extent and luxury.

Fronting Sixth Avenue, it rises to the right, the church, and to the left, the monastery, thus forming one building all surrounded by a concrete grating. On what can be called the atrium of the church, and to the right, there rises upon a granite pedestal, a precious crucifix which appears to be placed in a hermitage, which will serve the faithful, that, having blue space for a roof, they may devote themselves to Christian meditations.

The interior of the church, as also that of the monastery is magnificent, sumptuous! Only one nave, according to rules, in which are found, perfectly distributed the ornamentations proper to a church. At the entrance is the choir, wide and spacious. The baptistery with an elegant font where the children will go to receive the sacrament which once was offered by the Baptist to the Lord in the waters of the Jordan. Next, in the central part, two beautiful angels sustain most fine porcelain shells that will serve to place the Holy Water with which the faithful will bless their brows- by pain and sorrow battered. Next three rows of pews, solid and elegant and well distributed, are placed for the greater comfort of the worshippers.

The lateral part(s) is (are) occupied by the Stations of the Cross, very elegant and worthy of a good artisan's hand. Alternating with these frames and upon small pedestals are found six of the Apostles who stood guard and who were the first intrepid propagators of the Faith. In the background, three altars, the central one and the two lateral altars, present an agreeable and respectful view.

The Holy Sepuchre forms the first step of the main altar, and within which reposes an image of the Divine Redeemer as when He reposed that day in which to Jews tore away the life from the greatest of Men in whom was incarnated the Son of God.

In the topmost part of the altar and absolutely separated from it, are found the image of Jesus, the Most Holy Virgin and St. John on Mount Calvary in the most anguished of attitudes. Behind the main altar, two comfortable and ample sacristies are found, perfectly conditioned for their purpose and behind these are other rooms to store the church's furnishings etc,

The tower upon which the bells are hung, and whose tongues announce to the faithful the hour of gathering and prayer, is 90 feet in height, surmounted by a cross, the symbol of redemption, and protected by a lightning rod.

To the left of the church, as we said before, is the monastery which will serve as an office, a study and living quarters for the worthy members of the Reformed Carmel, and who will be, as is now known, in charge of the administration of the church. We visited one of the apartments of the monastery and they all deserve special attention, noting, in a very special way, the place occupied by the library.

Ample, with a magnificent and unimpeded light from the East and with sufficient seats and tables, the library is stocked with an intelligent selection of classical works, perfectly screened and replete in science, religion, art, and with extensive consideration for subjects or more interest to humanity. Without fear of error, and taking the authors into account, whose works, the product, the flower of erudition found here, we can say that this is one of the best libraries in the Castilian tongue.

Between the south side of the church and the north side of the monastery, rise three superb cloister corridors and in the center a wide fountain beautifies the whole, while in the meantime, the patio, like the front, is being prepared for the planting of trees.

Facing 22nd Street is the school, which upon being inaugurated, we well pay especial attention. This school will be served by the Mexican Sisters, who have been in Tucson for some months. The patios, very large and already adorned with the trees and flowers that are being planted, will present an aspect, at the time healthful as well as beautiful.

Before taking leave of the Carmelite priests, we had the opportunity to view the beautiful gifts which some pious ladies have made to the Church and which we list as follows:

Two artistic angels sustaining a shell for Holy Water-one, an offering by Senora Dona Amelia de Mimiaga, by Senora Dona Maria de Amado.

One Baptismal Font, is the gift by Senora Dona Sofia Sutherland.

Dona Juanita de Brichta has given two magnificent lamps that shall burn day and night before the Blessed Sacrament.

A remembrance from Dona Catalina de Carrillo, are ten valuable candlestick: for the main altar.

Dona Juanita de Elias made a gift of two candlesticks, each held by an angel.

Senora Dona Carmela de Lawton presented a magnificent silver ciborium for Communion.

Senora Dona Josefa de Felix offered a set of candelabra, and another set was given by Senora Dona Enriqueta Pratt de Johnson.

Also, Senorita Dona Teresa de Amado presented six Magnificent chairs and a table for the living room or the parlor, and, to provide for these pieces a fitting resting place, Senora Dona Maria de Amado gave as a gift a most beautiful and rich rug.

Reporter: Tomas O. Belada