It is part of the architectural complex that includes the Mercedarian Convent and the Church of Our Lady Mercy [pt].

After the departure of the religious order, it was used by various public institutions that played important roles in the city's history, including serving as a stage for the Cabanagem revolt, the headquarters of Belém Customs, the War Train, and Correios.

[4] The convent building experienced a major fire on October 19, 1978, which severely damaged its thick stone walls, though the annexed Church of Our Lady of Mercy was largely unaffected.

Witnesses reported that the fire began after three explosions in a document depository belonging to Belém City Hall.

It now houses the Superintendence of Patrimony of the Union, Belém Customs, and the regional headquarters of the Ministry of Finance's School of Treasury Administration [pt].