LA UNION CATHOLIC CHURCHES

We see these churches on our travels all the time but rarely know anything about its history. You don't need to be catholic either to appreciate its existence. Just the fact that it has existed standing for centuries makes it worth visiting, similar to temples or ruins. So I thought, I would make a little compilation of these churches province by province with a little bit of its history so to make it more interesting for everyone. This is my Visita Iglesia in La Union province. Just like what I do in other provinces, I stop at a city or a town to pay homage to their churches especially when it looks old enough to assume it's historic. And so far, they're all historic.

Here are the province of La Union Catholic churches, the ones i've visited anyway.

-San Fernando City: St. William the Hermit
-Agoo: Basilica of Our Lady of Charity
-San Juan: St. John the Baptist Parish
-Luna: St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish

-Bacnotan: St. Michael the Archangel

-Balaoan: St. Nicholas of Tolentino Church

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SAN FERNANDO CITY
St. William the Hermit Parish Church


Location:
Along the main road by the city center, just behind the plaza.

History:
1768 – once a humble chapelrelocated to its present site.
1817 – the first concrete church was erected.
1860 – an earthquake damaged the church.
1892 – destroyed by another earthquake; then reconstructed along with a new bell tower.
1945 – destroyed during the WWII.
1947 – the church was rebuilt after the war.
1970 – the church became a cathedral.

Features:
It is neoclassical in architecture.
Made out of cement and clay.
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AGOO
Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Charity


Location:
Situated along the highway in front of the town’s Civic Center.

History:
1578 – Parish founded.
1598 – added a three-tiered bell tower to the church.
1892 – destroyed by an earthquake and was rebuilt a year later.
1975 – the church was demolished and replaced with the present church.
1982 – it was elevated to Basilica Minore by the Pope.
1990 – devastated by a strong earthquake, leveling the bell tower.
2001 – the destroyed bell tower was replaced.

Features:
It's a Mexican-Baroque architectural.
A carved Hebrew scripts at the main door.
It has two non-identical bell towers:
 - a four-level hexagonal tower and
 - a bell-gable tower.
A pipe organ at the choir loft.

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SAN JUAN
St. John the Baptist Parish Church


Location:
Along McArthur Highway besides the town park.

History:
1582 – became a mission.
1707 – the church was constructed.
1807 – was established as a parish.
1898 – the church was razed to the ground by a great fire.
1902 – began the reconstruction of the church but no record found when was completed.
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LUNA
St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church


Location:

Brgy. Victoria

History:
1587 – became a mission of Balaoan.
1690 – became a parish.
1695 – the first church was built.
1741 – it was transferred to its present site.
1871 – The image of the Our Lady of Namacpacan was enshrined in the church.
1854 – It was heavily destroyed by an earthquake.
1876 – the church was restored and the convent was widened.

Features:
Baroque church with thick walls and buttresses.
An archway can be found at the church's entrance.
Twin belfries adorning the façade.










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BACNOTAN
St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church


Location:
Brgy. Poblacion

History:
1598 – became a mission.
1606 – became a mission of an unnamed town.
1607 – became a mission of Lingayen.
1819 – It was completed from 1817 to 1819.
1860 – The church was destroyed by an earthquake.
1887 – restored and was completed with an adjoining convent made of stone and wood.

Features:
It's a mix of baroque and neoclassical style.
It has two bell towers.
An old bell with a 20 November 1874 inscription can be found on the church ground.










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BALAOAN
Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Church


Location:
Situated at the main road by the town market.

History:
1587 –  Augustinians settles in town.
1734 – became a mission.
1820 – The church was constructed.
1829 – It was half-complete its sacristy and main chapel done.
1864 – the church was finally finished.
1877 – a convent and cemetery was built.
1880 – The church was slightly damaged by an earthquake.
1891 – went under repair.

Features:
Baroque architecture of lime, bricks, and stone.
The bell tower is adjacent to the church.

💛Thank You💛

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