Perhaps, however, as an exception to this, may be considered the “Old
Spanish Cathedral,” or Church of St. Louis. It stands in the centre of
the “Crescent” and also of the City, overlooking the “Place d’Armes” or
Parade Square. This unique and singular structure forcibly impresses
the stranger by its ancient and venerable appearance, and is calculated
to excite in the beholder, suspicion, that within its cold and gloomy
walls have been perpetrated, dark and damning deeds, on which will dawn
no light, until that time shall come when the crimes which have been
committed within pent up walls, and in the dark haunts of vice, and
under the fall of midnight, shall be spread out upon the long scroll
that eternity has been rolling up. But the suspicion, that wrong or an
impious act has been done within these consecrated doors, or within
view of those sacred altars, would be sacrilege indeed, although it
has stood here for more than half a century, and is now bearing upon
its floor the footprints of three generations who have daily assembled
here, and bowed in humble reverence and adoration before the image
of their Savior. Yet could it reveal and unfold the records of the
“confessional,” what tales of bleeding penitence--what strange and
incomprehensible impulses of the human heart, would here be developed.
But all these things are locked in the silent chambers of death, and
rest with that venerable old man, Pere Antonio de Sedella, who was
Curate of the parish for nearly fifty years. His image will live in the
memory of succeeding generations, for the story of his virtues and the
overflowings of his warm and generous heart will be told by the happy
recipients of his favors, and impressed upon the records of every age.
He was gathered to the home of his fathers in 1837, in the fullness of
days, at the age of ninety years. His remains were deposited within
these sacred walls, and lie buried at the foot of the altar where for
half a century he daily knelt, presenting the case of some wayward and
wandering child, who had poured into his ear, confessing the deeds
and errors of the carnal heart, beseeching him, in the spirit of true
penitence, to ask for mercy at the throne of grace.