 At this time the nearest place of worship was at Sant Antoni de Portmany and the local population needed a church somewhat closer to their homes.In 1726 the inhabitants of the area then named es Vedrans and Benimussa asked the archbishop of Tarragona, Manuel de Samaniego y Jaca, who was visiting the island, to approved the building of a new church.The archbishop agreed to this request and on 15 August 1729 the first mass was held on the site.