Spanish Era

In addition to the evangelization of the Mariana Islands, the Jesuits introduced a European system of education to Chamorros. The Colegio de San Juan de Letrán, a school for boys in Hagåtña, was established by Father Diego Luis de San Vitores, a Jesuit priest who arrived on Guam in 1668 and established the first Catholic mission in the capital city of Hagåtña.

Throughout the 230 duration of the Spanish administration of the Mariana Islands (1668-1898), more than fifty governors were appointed to serve at the pleasure of the Spanish crown. The appointed governors served terms ranging from three months to ten years.

The Escuela de Niñas or School for Girls, was located in the capital city of Hagåtña. The original building fell into disrepair, and a new building for the school was constructed in 1879 during the administration of Governor Manuel Bravo y Berrera.

Education of the local population was one of the colonizer’s concerns under the Spanish administration (1668-1898). With the arrival of the Jesuit Father Diego Luis de San Vitores in 1668, the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán was established in the capital city of Hagåtña. Boys who lived in the immediate surrounding area, as well as a number of selected young men that showed promise, were taught at the Colegio. Girls were sent to the Escuela de los Niñas or School for Girls.

The Colegio de San Juan de Letrán, a boy’s school or seminary, was established in 1669 in Hagåtña by Father Diego Luis de San Vitores, the Jesuit priest who started the first Catholic mission in the Marianas, and was still in existence in 1899 when the Americans claimed the island.

The introduction of Spanish culture to the CHamoru/Chamorro people began with early Spanish visitors to the Marianas in 1500s. Spanish influence on the culture and language continued throughout the duration of the Spanish Era, which lasted from 1668 to 1898.