The history of this parish begins in 1288, when the Mercedarian Fathers settled in the region after the reconquest. It was this order that began the construction of the convent in 1580. The church is a later construction. His works began only in 1727.
Due to the confiscation, in 1836 the convent had to be abandoned by the friars. For a time, the building was used as a textile and silk factory.
Later, the Cabildo recovered it and the building was once again transformed into a place of worship, becoming an auxiliary of the Tabernacle. This was the case until 1865, when the Missionaries Sons of the Heart of Mary took over the temple.
July 20, 1936, was a black day for the convent, which was attacked by militiamen who murdered five Claretian religious. Afterward, the temple was occupied and used as an asylum for war refugees.
Already in 1970, it was declared a parish again, receiving the name of Our Lady of Mercy.
The convent and the church are located in front of the Our Lady of Mercy Square. In front of it, there is also a magnificent Renaissance complex, made up of the Palace of the Quesada-Ulloa and the New Fountain, which was built in the 16th century and whose main function was to supply the residents of the Santa María and San Lorenzo neighbourhoods.
What to see in Jaen