Even before being raised to the status of town (at the beginning of the 17th century), the population had already grown dramatically. This was recorded in a 1507 accord that established a master builder for the new church, assumed to be the parochial church of "Nossa Senhora da Estrela". The elevation of Ponta Delgada to "town" in 1499, must have influenced the resident nobles of Ribeira Grande, who moved to have the same authority established for their burgh. Although the people involved were unfamiliar, Gaspar Frutuoso indicated that King Manuel I conceded to the locality of Ribeira Grande the privilege of "town" on 4 August 1507, that included "a league around the centre, counted from the pillory", comprising one parish (called "Nossa Senhora da Purificação" or "Nossa Senhora da Estrela"). It was Lopo Arês who brought the signed document from Lisbon, when he returned in 1508.