It is a reminder of the four centuries of Spanish domination of that area and a unique structure with a diversified architectural design of bricks and mortar.

It was built on top of a hill a lookout and a citadel as well as a religious center during the early administration of the region by friars and soldiers of Spain.

The influx of the settlers after the full conquest of the Ilocos Region by the Spaniards greatly increased the population of Santa Maria.

According to the legend, before the Santa Maria Church was built on its present site, the Virgin Mary was enshrined at a different place called Bulala.

Father Mariano Dacanay, the Ilocano parish priest from September 1, 1902, to May 27, 1922, has another variation of this legend which he assures, was gathered from reliable sources.

This version of Father Dacanay of the legend gains greater probability if not credence for today, one of the twin structures bearing the features and architectural designs of what could have been a chapel or a church by then obtaining standards remains intact in said school compound and presently used as a classroom for grade school pupils.

Numerous and varying legends or stories about the Virgin Mother have long become part of Philippine religious lore.

[4] After the bell tower was remodeled the same year, its foundation must have gradually settled down making the imposing structure slightly leaning or tilting as it appears today.

Henry Savage Landor, an English painter, writer and explorer who visited the Philippines in 1900, says: At Santa Maria a most picturesque church is to be found, reached on an imposing flight of steps.

There are a number of brick buildings, schoolhouses and office, which must have been very handsome but are tumbling down, the streets being in the absolute possession of sheeps [sic], goats and hogs.

A great expanse of level land was now well-cultivated into paddy fields and across it is a road fifteen feet wide, well-metalled and with a sandy surface.

The grand three-flight stairway leads to a courtyard in front of the church doorway where a sweeping view of the lower plains and the town of Santa Maria is beheld.

The curvilinear shape of the pediment serves as a graceful finish to the upward movement of the pilasters and the arch entrance.

The eastern and western side of the outer walls are reinforced by thirteen huge rectangular buttresses each typical of Earthquake Baroque architecture.

The first buttress from the front is adorned by a huge relief retelling how the statue of Our Lady of Assumption was found on top of a tree.

Her blue cape is decorated with silver floral designs and her white dress is embroidered with gold thread motif.