Agoo in La Union, Ilocos, Philippines — Southeast Asia
Basilica of Our Lady of Charity
Photographed By Ray Gurganus
1. Basilica of Our Lady of Charity Marker
Located in La Union's oldest town, Agoo. Parish and town founded in 1578 by Franciscan Frs. Juan Bautista Lucarelli and Sebastian de Baeza. Original church in Barangay Nagrugcan. Improved by Augustinian Fr. Saturnino Franco; belfry built by Frs. Casimiro Melgosa and Aquilino Garcia, all destroyed by 1892 earthquake.
Built on this site was the next church where the long-venerated image of Our Lady of Charity was canonically crowned by Apostolic Nuncio Salvatore Sinno on 1 May 1971 by rescript of Pope Paul VI. Demolished in 1975 for a new shrine, cornerstone laid on 8 Sept. 1975, Feast of Our Lady's Nativity, by Archbishop Mariano A. Madriaga, native of the town. Construction started 8 Jan. 1976 from donations by the faithful led by a son of the town, tourism minister Jose D. Aspiras and his family and encouragement of bishop Victorino Ligot of San Fernando de La Union diocese.
Consecrated Marian shrine on 8 December 1978, Feast of the Immaculate Conception by Sebastiano Cardinal Baggio, prefect of the sacred congregation of bishops, with President Ferdinand E. Marcos and First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos in attendance.
Elevated to rank of Basilica Minore by Pope John Paul II, on 15 July 1982, on petition of Bishop Salvador Lazo through archbishop Bruno Torpigliani, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.
this page online
Msgr. Benito P. Sison, first rector; Msgr. Jose C. Tongson, present rector; Tomas M. Asprer, provincial governor, Jose Luis M. Aspiras, municipal mayor; Ignacio Palma Bautista. Architect: Bernardo M. Vergara, Edmundo Tolentino, Jose Manantan and Bernabe Cortez, supervising engineers.
Erected 1982 by National Historical Institute.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical date for this entry is May 1, 1971.
Location. 16° 19.378′ N, 120° 22.047′ E. Marker is in Agoo, Ilocos, in La Union. Marker is on MacArthur Highway north of G. Tabora Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is next to the church's main entrance. Touch for map. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Ray Gurganus, December 16, 2023
2. Basilica of Our Lady of Charity Interior
Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 59 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 9, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area, including a complete view of the basilica. • Can you help?
