three priests travelling to angra between 1572-1573 were forced to shelter in são miguel. they were collected by joão lopes, who offered them shelter, while urging them to remain in ponta delgada in order to found a college on the island. but, it was only in about 1588 when joão lopes was able to help begin constructing the building; he acquired various houses around the current location, paying between 700$000–800$000 réis, while manuel da costa offered other buildings.