Bantay Church

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Bantay Church
  • Saint Augustine of Hippo Parish Church
  • Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Charity
The Bantay Church.jpg
Church facade in 2016
Philippines location map (Luzon mainland).svg
Red pog.svg
Bantay Church
Location in Luzon
Philippines location map (square).svg
Red pog.svg
Bantay Church
Location in the Philippines
17°34′52.3″N120°23′30″E / 17.581194°N 120.39167°E / 17.581194; 120.39167
Location Bantay, Ilocos Sur
Country Philippines
Denomination Roman Catholic
History
Status Parish church
Dedication Saint Augustine of Hippo
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architectural type Church building
Style Neo-Gothic and pseudo-Romanesque
Completed1590
Specifications
Bells5
Administration
Archdiocese Nueva Segovia
Clergy
Archbishop Marlo Mendoza Peralta

The Parish of Saint Augustine of Hippo, also known as the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Charity colloquially known as Bantay Church is a Roman Catholic church in Bantay, Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. Dedicated to Saint Augustine of Hippo, the church is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. It houses the venerated image of Our Lady of Charity. [1]

Contents

Pope Pius XII issued a pontifical decree of coronation titled Quas Tuas Optime on August 3, 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 rite of coronation was executed on January 12, 1956, by the Apostolic Nuncio to the country, Cardinal Egidio Vagnozzi and named as "Patroness of Ilocandia". [2]

The old historic bell tower of the church known as the Bantay Tower, which served as a watchtower for pirates during 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 its reconstruction 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. Five bells are found in the uppermost level of the tower.

2022 earthquake

On July 27, 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 (August 11, 2010). "Bantay Church and Belfry: Ilocos Sur, Philippines". The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Tourism". Experience Bantay. Retrieved on January 11, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Magnitude-7 Earthquake Hits Philippines' Main Island". Bloomberg.com. July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
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