New Portugal-inspired mural at Artesia church has ‘fishers of men’ theme

Years before Los Angeles County became a sprawling metropolis, the village of Artesia was part of the general farm area later known as “Dairy Valley.” Immigrants, especially from Portugal, settled there and worked on dairy farms. For decades, Holy Family Church was their spiritual home.

Nowadays, the parish serves a much more diverse congregation that includes immigrants from the Philippines and Mexico. But when pastor Father John Cordero, MMHC, began thinking of a way to pay tribute to his parish’s rich history, his imagination traveled back to Portugal.

“In Portugal, there are plenty of churches where the entire facade is covered in tiles,” explained Father Luis Proença, SJ, a native of Portugal who has served at Holy Family for more than 30 years. “Inside and outside, everything is decorated — usually in blue and white.”

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(Photo Credit: Kimmy Chacon)