Moorpark in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Moorpark’s Community Church

By Craig Baker, March 25, 2019

1. Moorpark’s Community Church Marker

Inscription.
This church is a unique combination of two historic buildings, the Epworth and the Somis churches.

Retired Methodist ministers established the Epworth Colony in what is now the Fairview district of Moorpark. A small chapel was built in 1894 and moved to this site c. 1909.

The Somis Church was built in 1892. By 1919 it was moved to become the northern half of this structure, due to the efforts of the rev. Glenn Phillips who later became bishop.

Moorpark’s Community Church served as spiritual, cultural and social center and housed several denominations.

Erected by Ventura County. (Marker Number 55.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the California, Ventura County Historical Landmarks series list.

Location. 34° 17.194′ N, 118° 52.844′ W. Marker is in Moorpark, California, in Ventura County. Marker is at the intersection of Walnut Street and Charles Street, on the right when traveling north on Walnut Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 702 Walnut Street, Moorpark CA 93021, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Tanner Corner (about

Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

By Craig Baker, March 25, 2019

2. Church and Marker

View looking east. The Somis Church is the left half. The Epworth Church is the right half, with the marker visible to the right of the window.

600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Joel McCrea Ranch (approx. 3.1 miles away); Norwegian Grade (approx. 3.7 miles away); Ronald Wilson Reagan (approx. 3.9 miles away); Pederson Ranch House (approx. 4½ miles away); El Rancho Simi (1795) (approx. 4.6 miles away); Simi Adobe (approx. 4.6 miles away); St. Francis Dam Disaster (approx. 6.2 miles away).

Moorpark’s Community Church image. Click for full size.

By Craig Baker, March 25, 2019

3. Moorpark’s Community Church

Moorpark’s Pepper Trees image. Click for full size.

By Craig Baker, March 25, 2019

4. Moorpark’s Pepper Trees

Ventura County Landmark No. 72. Planted in 1900.

Moorpark’s Granary image. Click for full size.

By Craig Baker, March 25, 2019

5. Moorpark’s Granary

Located next to the railroad tracks and designed to look like an old train station, it’s an abandoned granary built in the 1970s.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 89 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 1, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on April 2, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.