Dauis is one of the two towns on the island of Panglao. It is only three kilometers from the capital and is one of the oldest municipalities of Bohol. In 1879, it had a population of 9,090. No record of its establishment exists because all municipal records were burned during the World War II. However, a stone church tower that was built near the present church bears the year 1774, which must have been the date of its construction. And also, the establishment of the parish according to church records was in 1697. It is probable that the founding of the town was not far from that year. The old church was erected in 1863 and the convent in 1884.
A tale has it that Dauis was once called “Mariveles”, based on a story of the statue or image of Our Lady of the Assumption, the town’s patroness who was said to have requested an unnamed fisherman to take her to this island called “Mariveles”. When they neared the coast, the lady said, “duol na ang Mariveles” (We are nearing Mariveles).

She got off the boat and went toward the beach where the palms now abound in Poblacion, Dauis. The fisherman revealed that the lady passenger disappeared and in her place saw an object, the image of which evoked the likeness of his passenger. It has been said that the name of the place was derived from the word “Lawis” which means a “sand bar”. It also come from the word “dawi” which means “a fish biting the bait of a fishing hook and line”.

Recorded history of Dauis began with the arrival of two Jesuit priests, Fr. Diego de Ayala and Fr. Joseph Gragorio. Since then, there was a succession of Jesuit missionaries until 1786, and were later replaced by the Augustinian Recollect fathers until 1888. Since then, Filpino priests have taken over.

The 18th century Dauis Church, dedicated to the “La Señora de la Asuncion” or Our Lady of the Assumption underwent so many changes starting from its inception when the first Spanish missionaries arrived in the town in 1697. The church was believed to be built of light materials.

Bishop Juan Gorordo of Cebu consecrated the church on August 23, 1923. 61 years after Fr. Saldana laid its cornerstone, a cross was installed over the pediment in the year 1924. The convent constructed in 1884 was eventually renovated and utilize as Formation and Day Care Centers.

The church of Our Lady of the Assumption is a center for Marian pilgrimages emanating from the different towns of Bohol. On certain occasions, the Tagbilaran faithful hike the distance from their city to the site to invoke special petitions or mainly to honor Our Lady of the Assumption.

A well known for its water’s healing power, lies at the foot of the main altar. Local history tells that this well originated from the Spanish era. Pirates often attacked Christian settlements and it was during one such attack that the people took refuge behind locked doors of the church. Besieged by the enemy for days, the people run out of food and water. The well miraculously sprang up and since then has become the source of drinking water for the populace nearby, especially during droughts. The water tastes truly fresh, despite the well’s closeness to the seashore.

The image of the patron saint, Our lady of Assumption, is famed to be miraculous, too. (So many petitions of her devotees are granted) Tales from time to time crop up that the patron saint’s attire is filled with amorsico, a vexing weed. The faithful believe that their mother goes around her domain as she watches over Her children. Dauis church is a pilgrimage site, with the pilgrims carrying empty containers to take home water from the miraculous well.

In 2004, the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption was declared a Shrine honoring the patrones not only of Dauis but also for the whole province of Bohol.