Basilica of St Dominic de Guzman

The Minor Basilica of Saint Dominic

The Minor Basilica of Saint Dominic, formerly known as Saint Dominic Parish Church, stands as a significant religious and historical landmark in San Carlos, Pangasinan, Philippines. It is under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

History and Development

The history of the church is deeply interwoven with the growth and evolution of San Carlos. The first rudimentary chapel, likely constructed of bamboo and nipa, was established in 1587 by Dominican missionaries. This initial structure was situated on the western side of the Agno River. Due to frequent flooding, the church was relocated to higher ground across the river, a site that eventually gave the town its name, Binalatongan, due to the abundance of mongo beans grown there.

The first substantial church built of wood in Binalatongan featured a large bell cast by Fr. Francisco de la Maza between 1686 and 1690. This wooden church tragically burned down in 1718. A third church, larger and built with wood and brick walls, was constructed in 1721. However, this edifice was destroyed in 1763 during the Palaris revolt. Following the revolt's suppression, the town's site was moved to its present location, and the town was renamed San Carlos by order of King Charles III of Spain.

The construction of the current church, built of bricks and stone masonry, began in 1770 under Fr. Melendrez and was completed in 1773 under Fr. Cristobal Ausina. At that time, it was renowned as the largest Catholic church in the Philippines and was unequalled in height and breadth in the country. The church has endured damage from several earthquakes in the late 18th century, leading to reinforcements and repairs in the early 19th century. Significant improvements were also made in the late 19th century, including renovations to the pavement and the addition of tower foundations.

Architectural Significance

The basilica exhibits a Baroque architectural style. Its facade is characterized by a large pediment on the third and fourth levels, featuring a raking cornice adorned with prominent scrolls. The middle segment of the facade provides visual contrast through its wall plane designs. A notable feature is the main bell, cast in 1815, which weighs over 3,990 kilograms and is considered one of the largest and best-sounding bells in Northern Luzon.

Designation as a Minor Basilica

On August 8, 1989, a marker was unveiled commemorating the church's historical significance. In a significant recognition of its importance, Pope Francis designated the church as a minor basilica in July 2022. The solemn designation took place on January 14, 2023, in a Mass presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown.