In October 1553 the first five Franciscan brothers arrived in Santiago with the goal of "founding a monastery and church for the evangelization of Spaniards and Indians". It was the second religious order to reach Chile: the Mercedarians were the first. In April 1554, after Pedro de Valdivia had been killed in the Battle of Tucapel, the Franciscans established themselves in the outskirts of the city on the southern branch of the Mapocho River, acquiring the hermitage of the Virgen del Socorro (Our Lady of Help in Time of Need) and the hospital of San Juan de Dios. Shortly after they were joined by the nuns of Carmen Alto and of the Order of St. Clare. The Franciscans had promised the cabildo (the town council) that they would raise an "architectural construction" and place on its high altar the patroness of the city, the Virgen del Socorro, so in 1572 they built a church of adobe that was destroyed in the earthquake of 1583. Consequently they decided to build a more permanent church made of masonry and began this three years later with the support of one thousand pesos donated by Philip II. It was finished in 1618. It is designed in the form of a Latin cross with a central nave and two side chapels. There is a square: tower of stonework. The central nave has remained intact until today, resisting both earthquake and fire; the tower has been reconstructed several times. The piece of ground belonging to the Franciscans spread out from the low ground round the river to today ‘s Avenida Matta and on to what is now the Calle San Diego. As well as the church and monastery other buildings were constructed, such the school of San Diego and a hospital. Along the southern fringes were row houses for the very poor. Se church and monastery of San Francisco were important community centers during the 17th and 18th centuries. Processions, religious fiestas, solemn masses, guild parades - with bands and fireworks - broke the monotony of colonial life. From here the Franciscans continued their work of evangelizing Chile, giving the stamp of their order to the doctrine of Cristianity, a task which they continue today.