| Bantay Church | |
| Pushpin Map: | Luzon mainland#Philippines |
| Map Caption: | Location in Luzon##Location in the Philippines |
| Coordinates: | 17.5812°N 120.3917°W |
| Location: | Bantay, Ilocos Sur |
| Dedication: | Saint Augustine of Hippo |
| Status: | Parish church |
| Functional Status: | Active |
| Architectural Type: | Church building |
| Style: | Neo-Gothic and pseudo-Romanesque |
| Completed Date: | 1590 |
| Bells: | 5 |
| Archdiocese: | Nueva Segovia |
| Archbishop: | Marlo Mendoza Peralta |
Saint Augustine of Hippo Parish Church, also known as the Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad and 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]
Pope Pius XII issued a pontifical decree of coronation titled Latin: 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").
The church was heavily damaged during World War II and rebuilding 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.
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.
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]