Our Lady of Loreto Chapel

Subject: Our Lady of Loreto Chapel Sat 03 Nov 2007, 12:25 am

Much information concerning the treasured Chapel of Presidio La Bahia may on be found online, beginning with the official web-pages maintained by the historic site, under the auspices of the Catholic Diocese of Victoria:

http://www.presidiolabahia.org/index.html

It may be read there that the statue of Our Lady of Loreto, which looks down over those who come to visit the Chapel, was sculpted during the 1960s by Lincoln Borglum, who also lent his talent and skill to Mount Rushmore. But it might not be so widely known that the wooden image of Our Lady, which is sheltered within this place of worship and memory, is perhaps even older than the structure itself.

Drawing again from the writing of Henry Wolff, Jr., longtime columnist at the 'Victoria Advocate,' it is believed by some that this image accompanied the Franciscan missionaries when Mission Espiritu Santo and its Presidio first were established in present-day Victoria County, in 1721. Tradition states that the small, wooden statue was gifted to the friars by a member of the Spanish Royal family.

In a column of 1982-vintage, Mr. Wolff wrote that Our Lady of Loreto's image was removed prior the Texas Centennial of 1936, to be restored in a San Antonio doll hospital. Her cracks repaired and her visage renewed, she was returned to her place of honor in the Chapel at Presidio La Bahia. A quaint custom has accompanied the statue though the years: when young women ask the intercession and assistance of Our Lady in being brought a husband, they in turn fashion gowns for her when their prayer is answered.

Also to be viewed in the Chapel is a beautiful fresco of the Annunciation. This was painted during the 1940s by artist Antonio Garcia, of Corpus Christi. Mr. Garcia chose as his model for the Blessed Virgin Mary a young relative (possibly his sister) -- Mary Garcia Flores. Included in this lovely and mystical scene, along with the Angel Gabriel, is a touch of South Texas ~ in the forms of a flowering cactus and a diamondback rattle snake.

The Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto also served as a holding space for Col. James Fannin and his men before their execution on Palm Sunday, 1836, and the first Texas Declaration of Independence was signed within its walls.

http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/goliadspohn.htm
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The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Subject: Re: Our Lady of Loreto Chapel Fri 16 Nov 2007, 10:54 pm

Judging from the earliest photos taken of the Chapel, it appears that the bell tower was rebuilt between 1890 and 1936, perhaps in conjunction with the Texas Centennial.

http://www.presidiolabahia.org/restoration.htm

Does anyone have more information relating to the bell tower's reconstruction? I know of the great work which was done in restoring Presidio La Bahia during the 1960s; have read Katherine Stoner O'Connor's book previously, but do not possess a copy.
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The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves