[1] João de Bettencourt de Vasconcelos, along with his brother-in-law, Captain-major Francisco Ornelas da Câmara (who presided over the local Military War Council) used this building in 1641 during their blockade of the fortress of São João Baptista, and carved-out trenches around the building in order to defend the site.

[1] Following years of political instability, the site became a centre of equestrianism on Terceira, with various redoubts and ring, supporting and teaching several famous bullfighters from around the island.

[1] The following year, on 15 June, the Bishop of Angra, D. Manuel Álvares da Costa, passed a charter to establish a cult, owing to "the parameters necessary, bell-tower and doorway towards the road".

[1] The 1980 Azores earthquake caused serious damage to the internal structure of the building, demanding major repairs, consolidation of walls and restore of spaces.

[1] Yet, owing to the expense, the family sold the estate to the State, which was restored and re-qualified to serve as the cabinet of the Ministry of the Republic in the Azores.