The vibrant and iconic mural, “500 Years of Resistance,” spanning the two walls at the corner of 24th and Florida streets has been restored by world-renowned master mural artist Isaias Mata from El Salvador.
Freshly painted on the walls of St. Peters Parish rectory, the mural tells the story of conquest from the perspective of the Indigenous. The colorful piece demonstrates poignant themes: the anguish of war, violence and empire, God’s creation and the resilience of a people sustained by unshakable faith and by each other. Indigenous characters are accompanied by religious figures and saints—from the crucified Christ to Bartolomé de Las Casas, Kateri Tekawitha, Martin Luther King Jr. and Archbishop Romero. The piece culminates with a march led by Cesar Chavez.
Originally commissioned by the late Father Jack Isaacs, the artwork celebrates Latin American culture and honors the history of the migrant community living in San Francisco. Community members gathered on April 30 to celebrate the rebirth of the mural and the living causes that it represents.
The mural re-dedication began with a blessing led by Shaman Jorge Molina in which attendees faced east, north, south and west as a consolidated community to send “love, compassion and understanding to the world.”
“To all the Indigenous people struggling for freedom,” said Molina, “may we be always vigilant.”
Soon after, Mata addressed the crowd, describing his divine journey in repainting and restoring the mural. “This city has offered me the heavens as my hat,” he said. “This is no longer my mural, it is a mural for the community.”
Mata, who traveled from El Salvador to repair the mural over a three-week period, sent high praise and dedication to Father Jack Isaacs, the visionary for the creation of the mural. “His memory has transcended with this mural,” said Mata.
District 9 Supervisor David Campos shed light on the living spirit of the priest and the mural’s significance within the community. “The mural truly belongs to the neighborhood and is, moreover, a dedication the preservation of public art.”
Isaac’s primary purpose was to offer an alternative to the immigrant community, especially the youth of the neighborhood in the context of high unemployment, anti-immigrant sentiment, rising gang violence and police brutality. His memory has inspired many of his classmates and fellow priests to contribute to the mural’s preservation.
Years of exposure to rain and sunlight resulted in the cracking and peeling of the masterpiece, which prompted various groups to work together to raise funds for the restoration. The participating groups included: IBEW 1245 (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) labor organizer Eileen Purcell, Susan Cervantes and the founder and co-director of Precita Eyes Muralists Association Jeannette Saccheri, as well as the office manager of St. Peter’s Parish, and Jose Artiga, director of the SHARE Foundation.
Overwhelming support also came from the St. Joseph’s-St. Patrick’s College Alumni Association, the San Francisco Foundation, the Redwood City Catholic Worker House, the University of San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay Area Pot Maritime Council.
Today, the mural is one of the most visited and beloved in San Francisco. The city has presented a resolution to commend the preservation of the mural and declare it a “treasure” of the Mission District and the city of San Francisco.
Bishop William Justice concluded the ceremony with a closing blessing and final call to the community. “This mural is not only a sign of resistance, but also represents hope and dignity within each person,” said Justice.
