The Morcone friary opened in 1603, at the behest of the Marquis Giovanni Battista d’Aponte, who had made a vow.
Fr. Francesco Portoguese was the Provincial Minister. The permission to build was given by the Archbishop of Benevento. On 27 May 1603, the Abbot Rainuccio, on behalf of the Archbishop, celebrated the ceremony of the installation and blessing of the Cross. The friary was built next to an old church dedicated to Sts. Philip and James. 
On 20 August 1690, a new church, dedicated to these saints was consecrated. Since 1700 until today it has always been a centre for the novitiate and where many have been trained in the Franciscan way of life. Exemplary among these were the Servant of God Fr. Gabriele of Mentone, Fr. Raffaele of Sant’ Elia a Pianisi and Fr. Pio of Pietrelcina. It was shut down in 1811, during the French Rule and then reopened to the novitiate after a few years. In 1867, it was shut down again with the Italian government’s anti-religious policies and then in 1887 purchased back by the friars. Obstacles of every kind were never wanting. It belongs to the Archdioscese of Benevento.