Little is known about Loica’s history. Some historical records indicate it comprised land owned by the cacique Lloica, the leader of a small tribe. When he died, lands were divided into lots. Subsequently, the Spanish conquerors arrived and Inés de Suárez received Alhué by means of the encomiendas; therefore, as a part of the responsibilities under the encomienda system, instruction in the Christian faith began. In 1856, the first temple in this area was built, which over the years became a landmark because of the evangelization carried out by Jesuit missionaries.

In view of this, it hosts one of the most important Chilean traditions for more than 400 years, an intangible cultural heritage: the «Canto a lo Divino» (Singing to the divine elements of life).

Stories tell that through tenths, Jesuit missionaries from the Bucalemu and El Convento estates traveled across the country from Choapa to Maule rivers, from the coast to the mountains, preaching to native people, Spaniards, creole people and mestizos different Bible passages, sung and prayed in verses about the world creation, Christ’s birth, the Virgin, the Passion, the Resurrection, among others, giving rise to what we know as the Canto a lo Divino, an exclusive Chilean tradition. Promptly, this method would took hold in the population that also acted as catechist, spreading the Christian faith through these songs across the Central Valley, reaching the most remote areas, where Jesuit missionaries could not reach. Afterwards, the peasant poets and singers began to create their own topics-fundamentals, and this would become an oral transmission way to speak not only about faith, but also customs, traditions, daily life and history, what we know today as «Canto a lo Humano» (Singing to the human elements of life).

Unfortunately, this tradition has been disappearing nowadays, along with the old poet singers, who are elderly people and, in view of the indifference shown by local youth regarding traditions, keep on striving for conveying and rescuing this cultural heritage.

It is in this point that the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Loica Bajo takes on great relevance: home of singers to the human and divine things of life, who meet the first Saturday of January to celebrate the Niño Dios de Loica festivity, patron saint of the town, invoking local singers and singers from Central Chile to pray and sing verses honoring and reverencing the Son of God. Families meet at the temple and contribute with money to offer beverages and food to singers who, in vigil state, sing all night long until dawn only verses to the divine.

This town, that now is a part of the San Pedro de Melipilla Municipality, once was the Loica Municipality (created on December 22, 1891). Later, in 1922, the municipality was moved to Cruce de Arañas, because it was a location closer to the rest of towns, and on June 29, 1932, it was moved to San Pedro, where it remains until today.