By 1718 San Rafael was the largest of the Chiquitos missions with 2,615 inhabitants; as a result, in 1721, Felipe Suárez and Francisco Hervás established the mission of "San Miguel", as a split-off of the San Rafael mission.
By 1718 San Rafael was the largest of the Chiquitos missions with 2,615 inhabitants; and could not sustain the growing population. As a result, in 1721, Felipe Suárez and Francisco Hervás established the mission of "San Miguel", as a split-off of the San Rafael mission.