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430-Year: The Historic Minor Basilica of St. Dominic de Guzman

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Recognized as the oldest parish in Pangasinan and now over 430 years old, the Minor Basilica and Parish of St. Dominic de Guzman belongs to the Vicariate of St. Dominic under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. It once stood as the largest church in the Philippines

Photo reference: seepangasinan (website)

History’s Comeback Story

The history of the Minor Basilica and Parish of St. Dominic de Guzman dates back to 1587, when Dominican missionaries first arrived in Binalatongan—later renamed San Carlos in 1764. Like many historic churches, it endured a series of destructions and rebuilding over time.


On August 4, 1718, a man named Juan Caragay set fire to the modest church and its convent, prompting the relocation of the parish to Abagbagan near the San Juan River. Decades later, in 1763, another uprising led by Juan Palaris resulted in the destruction of both the church and convent once again. Following these events, Charles III issued a decree transferring the church’s site to Lucban.


Poblacion, the town’s cabecera or center, eventually developed near the church, which oversaw several small chapels known as visitas or mission stations. Over time, San Carlos came to be recognized as the “Mother-house of the Province” of Pangasinan.


Between 1770 and 1773, Padre Cristobal Ausina led the construction of the church using large bricks and apalit tiles. The structure stood on the present site where Binalatongan had been relocated in 1754. At the time, it was considered the largest church in the Philippines, but a series of powerful earthquakes in 1789, 1796, and 1799 caused its destruction.


The church was rebuilt in 1803, measuring 89 yards in length and 22 yards in width. Later, Padre Alvarez Carrozal constructed the belfry and initiated major restoration efforts between 1878 and 1890.


On August 8, 1989, a historical marker from the National Historical Institute was unveiled, with the ecclesiastical support of Federico G. Limon. The ceremony was led by Dona Consuelo S. Perez, alongside Rafael M. Colet and Mayor Douglas D. Soriano.


The city’s patron saint, Saint Dominic de Guzman—who established the Order of Preachers—is believed to have performed miracles in the area. One of these is said to be the minimal destruction experienced by the city during the return of American forces, supported by Filipino troops and local guerrillas, toward the end of World War II.


Recognition by the Holy See

The Minor Basilica and Parish of St. Dominic de Guzman was officially declared a minor basilica by Pope Francis on July 6, 2022, and was solemnly proclaimed as such on January 14, 2023.


Click here to view quick facts about this parish church.


References

See Pangasinan. (n.d.). St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Church. https://seepangasinan.com/places/st-dominic-de-guzman-parish-church/

San Carlos City Government. (n.d.). The Minor Basilica of Saint Dominic. https://www.sancarlospangasinan.gov.ph/tourism

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