St. Louis Bertrand Church

Pangasinan’s ancient and Hispanic churches are both a Visita Iglesia destination and architecture buffs' paradise. Pilgrim’s destinations include Our Lady of Purification Parish in Binmaley, one of the largest vaulted dome churches in the province, Lingayen’s Church of Epiphany with its collection of historical bells, Bolinao’s St. James the Great Fortress Church, with its imposing façade hewn from coral rocks and the Saint Peter and Paul Parish, considered by the National Museums as a National Cultural Treasure.

But is there’s one thing you should not miss visiting during your Visita Iglesia in Pangasinan is the Asingan Church or commonly known as St. Louis Bertrand Church. Why? If you visit Asingan nowadays you can see the Asingan Catholic Church in its fully restored elegance. Like any church in Pangasinan, it has survived earthquakes, insurrections and other man-made calamities.

Olden times of Asingan Church

On March 16, 1892 an earthquake left the church with some horizontal cracks. But the church was still usable for worship. Then in 1898, General Makabulos of the KKK (Kagalang galangang, Kataastaasang Katipunan) organized some secret groups in Pangasinan. It is written that during this year, Binalonan, San Manuel and Asingan were captured by the KKK. It must have been during this period that the Asingan convent (the biggest convent in Eastern Pangasinan at that time) was razed to the ground by a Katipunero named Agustin Alejo.

In 1947, Rev. Jose Macaraeg renovated the church in preparation for the second post war celebration of Christ the King in Pangasinan. Thus in October 1947, the faithful from entire Pangasinan, and also the towns of Lupao and Cuyapo in Nueva Ecija and other towns like Camiling and Gerona in Tarlac converged in Asingan for a huge celebration.  At that time, these towns are still part of the Diocese of Lingayen.

On July 16, 1990, an intensity 8 earthquake rendered the church useless. Whole walls came down. Masses were held outdoors. But Asinganians from all over the world (even those from other denominations) pitched in their financial help for the restoration of the church. Thus, on October 10, 1993, which is celebrated in Asingan as the feast day of their Patron Saint St. Louis Beltran, the reconstructed church was opened to all Asinganians for the first time. This first Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Jesus Galang, D.D. Asingan Parish Priest Msgr. Marlo Peralta and assistant Parish Priest Benjamin Mangonon.

The parishioners were honored in April 23, 1995 when President Fidel Ramos came to his hometown to see the new church. Msgr. Peralta acknowledged before the congregation the presence of the former President of the Philippines.

--- :)

Other colonial churches are Our Lady of Rosales Groto in Rosales, the Mt. Zion Pilgrim Mountain and the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, both in Bugalton, the St. Claires Monastery in Bolinao, and the Senor Divino Tesoro in Calasiao.