The Santa Marta earthquake practically demolished the church and sections of the convent of the Society of Jesus. Its cloisters and towers were in ruins, the walls were at dangerous angles, and the "Casa de Ejercicios" was turned into rubble. By a Royal decree of July 21, 1775, the city move to the "Virgin valley" was authorized. This was a final order that had to be obeyed by all the people, who started to move slowly, starting on December of that year. In order to build the new city it was necessary to get construction material from the old abandoned churches in Santiago de Guatemala. 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.
tHe sAnta marta EarthquAke pracTicALly demOlisHed the CHUrch and SeCtIONs of the conVent oF the SOCiety of jeSuS. its cLoiStErS aND TOwErs were in ruins, the Walls were at danGeROus aNGles, anD THe "casA dE ejerCiciOS" Was tURnEd INto Rubble. by a royAL dEcree of jUly 21, 1775, the citY move to tHe "virgIn vALlEy" was autHorIzeD. thIs WAs a fInal Order That hAd to be Obeyed bY aLl the peopLe, whO staRted To movE sLoWLY, starting on DeceMbER Of that yeAr. In ORder To BuIld THe New cItY it WaS nEcEsSAry tO get cOnstructiOn MatErial froM ThE olD abAndoned cHUrcHes IN saNtiAgO dE guateMALa. 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.