Malunguey
Our History
The Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Vincent Ferrer traces its origins to 1619, when Dominican missionaries established a parish in the settlement then known as Malungay, one of the earliest Christian communities in Pangasinan. Although Malungay already existed as a settlement as early as 1614, it was only in 1619 that it was formally accepted as a Dominican vicariate under the patronage of Saint Vincent Ferrer, the great Dominican preacher and missionary. In 1741, the town adopted the name Bayambang, derived from the site to which the poblacion was transferred, while the parish retained its devotion to Saint Vincent Ferrer. (Wikimedia Commons)
For more than four centuries, generations of Dominican missionaries and parish priests nurtured the faith of the people. Historical records mention priests such as Fr. Manuel Mora, who built a wooden church and convent in 1804; Fr. Manuel Sucias, who initiated the construction of a larger cruciform church; and Frs. Juan Alvarez del Manzano, Joaquin Flores, Benito Foncuberta, Jose Ibañez, and Ciriaco Billote, who continued the construction, reconstruction, and improvement of the parish church through the nineteenth century. (Wikipedia)
The parish has endured numerous trials throughout its history. A devastating fire in 1856 destroyed the church and many parish records. The church also suffered damage from the great 1863 earthquake, the destruction brought by World War II, periodic flooding that affected the community, and the 1990 Luzon earthquake, which damaged parts of the church structure. Yet through every calamity and challenge, the faith of the people remained steadfast, leading to the rebuilding and preservation of their beloved church. (Wikipedia)
In 2019, the parish celebrated its 400th Anniversary, commemorating four centuries of faith, evangelization, and devotion to Saint Vincent Ferrer. The celebration was highlighted by the inauguration of the Saint Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park and the world-renowned Saint Vincent Ferrer Statue, a symbol of faith and hope for pilgrims and visitors. (See Pangasinan)
Recognizing its historical, spiritual, and pastoral significance, the church was elevated to the rank of Archdiocesan Shrine on April 5, 2025. Today, the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Vincent Ferrer continues the mission begun by the Dominican missionaries more than four centuries ago—proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments, fostering devotion, and forming disciples of Jesus Christ for generations to come. (Wikipedia)