Travelling a little north from the famous city of Vigan lays another historic site one should see when visiting Ilocos Sur. A spot that will give its visitors a bird's eye view of the colorful Vigan City and its own town Bantay, St. Augustine Parish Church and its stunning belfry knows as Bantay Belfry was one of our first destinations upon reaching Ilocos Sur.
Housing the image of Our Lady of Charity, the Patroness of Ilocandia, St. Augustine Parish Church posses a maroon-like brick facade with the design elements of Neo-Grothic. The interior, on the other hand, has a mix of Pseudo-Romansque elements forming this series of arches leading everyone to the altar. The interior looks quite simple, which I personally think was done o purpose to give emphasis on the church structure.
Story behind this church comes with the image of Our Lady of Charity found floating in the Bantay River before it was found and brought to land by the local fisherman. Some other towns claim that the image was theirs but it was only the people from Bantay who was able to carry it leaving the other towns no choice but to let Bantay have it.
