SIERRA VISTA — Those who stop for an initial visit and prayers at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church here might mistakenly get the impression that they have inadvertently stumbled into an art gallery.

It’s understandable because there is art everywhere inside.

There are paintings, statues and stained glass windows throughout the sanctuary and side rooms. And the vestments worn by the priests as they celebrate mass are very old and finely woven, like moveable art objects.

The reason is that the church serves the Army base at nearby Fort Huachuca, and the base personnel is composed of men and women from all over the world. So each ethnic group affiliated with the church has permission to place icons and other items from their native countries on the walls and into niches, creating a wonderful blend of religion and art.

St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Sierra Vista. Photo Credit: Sam Lowe

Vestments worn by the priests. Photo Credit: Sam Lowe