Coalinga in Fresno County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

St. Paul’s Catholic Church

Original Church built 1907 – Moved to Huron 1949

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 22, 2013

1. St. Paul’s Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. Coalinga was a mission attached to the St. Brigid’s Parish in Hanford up to 1907, when Rev. E. Girarde was appointed the first pastor of Coalinga’s new St. Paul’s Catholic Church. St. Paul’s was served by sixteen pastors from 1907 to 1945. In 1945 Rev. Daniel J. Keenan became the pastor and aided in raising money for a new church. Funds were raised by $100.00 a plate dinners. In 1949 the original church was moved to Huron and the new St. Paul’s was completed and dedicated on Saint Peter and Paul’s day. The church was built of adobe brick, in the Spanish style. The altar was built of Arizona flagstone as was the entire sanctuary floor. Lighting fixtures and altar ornaments were fabricated locally. On May 2, 1983 an earthquake of 6.7 magnitude hit Coalinga at 4:42 P.M. and St. Paul’s was damaged so severely that it was condemned for further use as a church.

Erected by Coalinga Lions Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1902.

Location. 36° 8.512′ N, 120° 21.851′ W. Marker is in Coalinga, California, in Fresno County.

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It is at the intersection of Sunset Avenue and West Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling north on Sunset Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Sunset Avenue, Coalinga CA 93210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Grammar School (within shouting distance of this marker); “Dr. Bill” (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Presbyterian Church of Coalinga (about 500 feet away); B.M. Food Market (about 500 feet away); The Phelps Building (about 600 feet away); Coalinga Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); The Bertrich Block (about 600 feet away); Liberty “Airdome Theater”

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 22, 2013

2. St. Paul’s Catholic Church Marker

(about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coalinga.

Vic Davis Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 22, 2013

3. Vic Davis Memorial

This park is dedicated to Coalinga’s best friend and caring citizen, Vic Davis, a resident since 1928. Vic has always been interested in making our city a better place to live having served as a planning commissioners and member of the Coalnga Lions Club since 1938. The lighting of the tree in this park every Christmas has been Vic’s project since he conceived the idea in 1965. Davis Park is a living monument to his devotion to making this world a more desirable place.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 22, 2013

4. Vic Davis Memorial

Located in a park opposite St. Paul’s Catholic Church. This is a rear view of the stone base that holds the Vic Davis Memorial Plaque.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 978 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 1, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.