A Ship in the Mountains

Awhile back a friend stopped by my house. He had been to Veracruz and picked up a truckload of red cedar wood and wanted to know if I'd like to buy some. So I did and eventually made a bar out of it. But what are you going to do with the rest of it? I asked.

It's for a Catholic Church about 60 miles from here called St. Andrews. he told me.

So a couple of months ago someone stopped by and asked if we'd like to see an unusual church at St. Andrews Buenavista. So off we went. And what an amazing Church it is, Its built like the Santa Maria of Columbus's fleet. What a strange sight to see a caravel sitting amidst the mountains of Tlaxcala.We were in luck to encounter Father Arnulfo Mejia the Priest of the San Andres Church, who gave us an excellent tour of the ship.

The principal theme of the ship is religious syncretism as represented in the architecture and decorations. Amixing of prehispanic and European cultures, there are many prehispanic glifs in the church.

Theres a cellar with crypts...1st floor is the Temple & pulpit...2nd floor is aGallery and cafeteria...

3rd floor is game room, cultural events, museum observacion balcony, a terrace & masts.

There biggest Fiesta day is October the 12th (Of Course!!)

Father Arnulfo says the project started in 1974 and the idea of the construction of a ship started in 1984 because St. Andrew was an Apostle of Jesus and a fisherman as were his brothers, .

Also Jesus preached from a boat and the boat is a symbol of Salvation.

A most unusual place to visit if you ever get this way.