This church is well known for being the site of a number of historical events, including the "La Profesa Conspiracy," which was instrumental in bringing Agustín de Iturbide to power and the "Polkos Rebellion".

[3] Nonetheless, the Jesuits established their professed house[1] here in 1578 and later a church, using property purchased from Fernando Noriega just to the west of the Zócalo in Mexico City.

All that remains of the original construction as part of the current building is the Moorish-style roof, which can be seen in the prolongation of the choir towards the side naves.

[2] Over time, the Jesuits embellished the church and their living quarters with paintings, sculptures and other ornaments, gathering a large collection of religious art.

[7] In 1855, the declaration of the Immaculate Conception as a Roman Catholic church dogma the previous year was celebrated here, an event commemorated by an oil painting that is now at the National Museum of History in Chapultepec.

[3] The Reform Laws of 1861 forced the abandonment of La Profesa's monastery, which was then demolished in 1862 to make way for 5 de Mayo Street.

The only work saved from that fire was done in 1861 which represents the blessing of Creation situated in the door of the small lantern at the very top of the cupola.

[3] Later in the century, this church was the scene of meetings of historians, theologians and other researchers during the beatification process of Juan Diego.

The church building has also seen a number of works to correct damage from its sinking into the soft soil of Mexico City and has had its facade on Madero Street restored.

Elements present in this church that would later mark 18th century works include an octagonal window in the choir area with multiple mouldings to decorate it and a recessed facade with steps leading up to the main portal.

[2] The original altar of this church was done by Pedro Patiño Ixtolinque, but it was replaced in 1799 by the Neoclassic one by Manuel Tolsá that is seen today.

Statues on each side of the entrance depict the Virgin of the Rosary and the Vision of Saint Teresa, both by Cristobal de Villapando and, like the church, are considered to be transitional Baroque works.

In the early part of the 19th century, during the Mexican War of Independence, the movement known as the "La Profesa Conspiracy" took shape here.

This was a conservative movement led by Matías Monteagudo, director of the Casa de Ejercicios of La Profesa, José Antonio Tirado and Miguel Bataller.

The term "Polkos" comes from their tacit support of President of the United States James K. Polk and from being associated with dancing polkas at fashionable parties.

[3] Both the Jesuits and the brothers of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri embellished the church and its accompanying buildings with a large number of paintings and other artworks.

[7] After the Reform Laws closed the monastery and converted the non-church buildings to other uses, this church lost its influence on the arts.

There are two works depicting the martyrdom of two Jesuits in Japan, very close in style to José de Páez, and lastly, a painting of Nicolas Enriquez with Ignatius of Loyola at the Manresa Cave, which has a description of the location.

One other painting of note is the "Padre Eterno" of Pelegrí Clavé, the only work to survive a fire that engulfed the La Profesa Church in 1912.

[3] The last room is dedicated to works that, because of their theme, were mostly likely part of the collection that belonged to the buildings when it was the Casa de Ejercicios.