The Spaniards then assigned the area to the town of Santa Ana de Sapa and in the 1600s began to be developed as a pilgrimage center around the churches of Our Lady of Guadalupe (now Our Lady of Grace, opened 1625) and of Saints Peter and Paul (opened 1620) in what is today the "población", built by missionary friars to attract worshippers, and also as a farming community. It became an independent municipality in 1670, and was christened "San Pedro de Macati" in honour of the town's patron, Saint Peter. The town was also famous for its pottery industry since the 18th century, with skilled potters trained by Jesuit priests. Its strategic location also made it a pitstop for pilgrims, travelling by foot or boat, towards the shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo. Beginning in the early 19th century, the church has been directly administered by diocesan secular clergy.