[3] But this plan never materialized, mainly because the Spanish crown lost control of the regular orders as soon as their friars set course to America.

Shielded by their apostolic privileges granted to convert natives into Catholicism, the missionaries only responded to their order local authorities, and never to that of the Spanish government or the secular bishops.

The doctrines were founded at the friars discretion, given that they were completely at liberty to settle communities provided the main purpose was to eventually transfer it as a secular parish which would be tithing of the bishop.

However, in the case of the Society of Jesus church, there was strong opposition from the neighbors to any possible dismantling of the structure since they considered that it could still be repaired.

Ironically, San Martín Jilotepeque was one of the most impacted municipalities by the 1976 Guatemala earthquake; the town was completely ruined and only the colonial fountain in central square survived total destruction.