Built in 1590, St. Augustine is one of the oldest churches in Ilocos Sur, located in the town of Bantay just a few minutes northeast of Vigan.

The church is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia, and enshrines the venerated image of Our Lady of Charity, the patroness of Ilocandia.

Perched atop the nearby Calvario Hill is the church’s picturesque belfry, whose ringing can be heard as far as the northern tip of Vigan.

Used as a watchtower for pirates during the Spanish colonial era, and for invading enemy forces during World Wars I and II, the top of the tower affords spectacular views as far as the mountains of the province of Abra.

Five bells are found in the uppermost level of the tower.

Unlike the church which was damaged during the war and restored in 1956, the bell tower has stood majestically in its original splendor for over four centuries.