Near Clovis in Fresno County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Academy Methodist Church
Photographed By Lester J Letson, January 8, 2010
1. Academy Methodist Church Marker
Oldest church in Fresno County.
Sign erected in memory of those who have given their time to establish, preserve and maintain this place of worship.
Dedicated December 25, 1985
Academy Circle
Erected 1985 by Academy Circle.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is December 25, 1862.
Location. 36° 53.45′ N, 119° 32.333′ W. Marker is near Clovis, California, in Fresno County. Marker is on Madsen Avenue, ¼ mile north of State Route 168, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10796 North Madsen Avenue, Clovis CA 93619, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Academy (approx. ¼ mile away); Humphrey Station (approx. 7.1 miles away); William "Yank" Hazelton (approx. 9.6 miles away); Erected to the Memory of the Pioneers of the Millerton Area Whose Remains Rest Here (approx. 9.9 miles away); Clovis Veterans Memorial (approx. 10 miles away); Tarpey Depot
this page online
More about this marker. The land on which the church at Academey was built (the oldest church in Fresno County) was donated by the Simpson family.
Sarah M Baley Simpson, Daughter of William Wright Baley and wife of John Greenup Simpson, Fresno County's first tax collector.
Sarah and John had 7 children including Marvin Simpson who went on to serve in the California Legislature.
The Simpson and Baley family plots are in the nearby Academy Pioneer Cemetery.
See nearby marker Academy for additional information regarding the town and area.
Regarding Academy Methodist Church. The church building is recognized as the oldest standing church building still in use in Fresno County. In 2015 the church location was in continuous use for 150 years. In October of 2018 the church held a celebration as the church building itself had been in use for 150 years, and still going.
Additional keywords.
Photographed By Lester J Letson, January 8, 2010
2. Academy Methodist Church Marker
Photographed By Lester J Letson, January 8, 2010
3. Academy Methodist Church
Photographed By Lester J Letson
4. Sarah M. (Baley) Simpson
The Baley and Simpson families were pioneers in the Academy area. Sarah Simpson and her husband John Greenup Simpson donated the land for the church.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 2,321 times since then and 77 times this year. Last updated on October 5, 2018, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 8, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
