The Franciscans in the Vukovar area for many centuries had a very important role and have left an indelible mark not only in religious education, but also in education and cultural development of this region. The author of the first theatrical works of the Croatian language, derived 1819 monastery in Vukovar was a Franciscan Grga Čevapović
Valuable Franciscans gathered through the centuries various artistic treasures: paintings, sculptures, archives, books and liturgical vessels. A rich and valuable library of the monastery, for his fund one of the most valuable old library in Croatia, had some 17,000 volumes, and the monastery there is a rich treasury of silver and gilt liturgical art of the 16th century until the 20th century Baroque paintings and more recent masters adorned the altars, walls of the church and convent.
The destruction during the war, when the church was destroyed and banished Franciscans, Franciscan monastery with the church of St. Philip and Jacob was the oldest preserved baroque monument and the oldest building of Vukovar. The complex is now restored and registered as a monument of category.