Bantay Church

The Saint Augustine Parish Church, commonly known as Bantay Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Bantay, Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. The church was dedicated to Saint Augustine of Hippo. It houses the venerated image of Our Lady of Charity.[1]

Bantay Church
Saint Augustine of Hippo Parish Church
Shrine of Our Lady of Charity
Calle Crisologo
Vigan Cathedral
Bantay Church (top) and its bell tower (bottom) in Ilocos Sur, as it appeared on 2012.
17°34′52.3″N 120°23′30″E
LocationBantay, Ilocos Sur
CountryPhilippines
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
StatusParish church
DedicationSaint Augustine of Hippo
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architectural typeChurch
StyleNeo-Gothic and pseudo-Romanesque
Completed1590
Specifications
Bells5
Administration
ArchdioceseNueva Segovia
Clergy
ArchbishopMarlo Mendoza Peralta

Pope Pius XII issued a pontifical decree of coronation titled “Quas Tuas” on 3 August 1955 towards the venerated image of Our Lady of Charity, being granted to the Archbishop of Nueva Segovia, Santiago Caragnan y Sancho. The decree was signed by the Secretary Deacon Giulio Rossi and notarized by the Grand Chancellor, Girolamo Ricci. The coronation was carried out 12 January 1956 by the Apostolic Nuncio, Cardinal Egidio Vagnozzi and named as “Patroness of Ilocandia”. [2]

The old historic belfry of the church known as the Bantay Tower, which served as a watchtower for pirates back in the Spanish colonial era, gave the town its name - bantay (meaning to guard).[2]

Architecture

The church was heavily damaged during World War II and rebuilding was started in 1950. The restored façade is of Neo-Gothic design mixed with pseudo-Romanesque materials and elements. It is designed to be grandiose and reminiscent of Spanish architecture. It uses materials such as bricks and mud.[2]

The belfry sits on a hilltop overlooking a green pasture and the province of Abra. It was used as a watchtower for invading enemy forces during World War II because of its strategic location. The Bantay Church and bell tower are monumental witnesses to various atrocities and uprisings.

  • View of Bantay Church nave
    View of Bantay Church nave
  • Aerial side view of Bantay Church
    Aerial side view of Bantay Church

2022 earthquake

On 27 July 2022, parts of the Bantay Bell Tower crumbled after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the province of Abra and nearby provinces.[3]

References
  1. Dimen, Yosh (2010-08-11). "Bantay Church and Belfry: Ilocos Sur, Philippines". The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  2. "Tourism". Experience Bantay. Retrieved on 2014-01-11.
  3. "Magnitude-7 Earthquake Hits Philippines' Main Island". Bloomberg.com. 2022-07-27. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
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