Although the official foundation is dated from 1927, historical records list a wide range of dates, so that an approximation is somewhat complex. It is no mystery that its origins date back many years ago, some years after the Franciscan order arrived to Chile from Peru; in 1579, the Saint Francis convent in El Monte was founded by the Franciscan priest Juan de Torralba, provincial director of the Franciscan Order in Chile.

While historical analyses say the temple and convent date back to 1732, some sources indicate that as far back as 1682 the Franciscans reconstruct the building they lived in and moved the convent to this place. However, current external appearance is different from that of the first years, since in 1824 it underwent a makeover giving it its current characteristic image.

This is the period when the church becomes increasingly important as well as the Hacienda de San Miguel de El Monte estate, because that was the area where José Miguel Carrera, one of the principal leaders of the Chilean war of independence, and his family lived; therefore, this place is considered “where the country was born.” Its importance is such that, by means of excavations made in an area surrounding the temple, a tunnel communicating the church with the estate was discovered, probably used by Carrera to escape from Spanish troops.

Thus, the church became a pivotal element for the area, since the village, in an earlier stage, and El Monte commune later revolved around the temple.

In 1893, monsignor Valdivieso moved the parish to Talagante, but this returned to the El Monte building in 1927, when it was consecrated under the advocacy of Saint Francis of Assisi.

On January 7, 1974, the San Francisco de Asís parish of El Monte is declared a Historical Monument, due to its architectural characteristics and age of the building.

However, during the 1985 earthquake it suffered serious damages that were later remedied, rebuilding the tower. In 2009 the entrance porch and pillars along the exterior passageway were restored, minimizing accident risks for passersby and worshippers.

Nowadays the parish enjoys booming religious and social activity.