The building was constructed on the land granted to the Jesuits between 1576 and 1603, under the direction of Jesuit architect Diego López de Arbaiza. After the Jesuits were expelled, the temple was closed to worship, and in 1822, it became the site of the First Mexican Congress. Two years later, it housed the Legislative Assembly, where the first president of Mexico, Guadalupe Victoria, took his oath. Later, it hosted the Library of the Colegio de San Gregorio and, after the Revolution, became the National Hemeroteca. Around 1990, it was restored to become the Museum of Light, as part of the UNAM heritage. It currently houses the Museum of the Constitutions.