Fairmont in Marion County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

First Father’s Day Service

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 21, 2014

1. First Father’s Day Service Marker

Inscription. Site of Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal church, now Central United Methodist, where Father’s Day was first observed on July 5, 1908. Reverend Webb conducted the service upon the request of Mrs. Charles Clayton, daughter of Methodist minister Fletcher Golden, just two months after the first Mother’s Day observance at Grafton. National recognition of Father’s Day achieved in 1972 by congressional resolution.

Erected by West Virginia Department of Culture and History. (Marker Number MA7.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1777.

Location. 39° 28.855′ N, 80° 8.875′ W. Marker is in Fairmont, West Virginia, in Marion County. Marker is at the intersection of Fairmont Avenue (U.S. 250) and 3rd Street (West Virginia Route 310), on the left when traveling north on Fairmont Avenue. It is in front of the United Methodist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Fairmont Ave, Fairmont WV 26554, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named First Father's Day Service (within shouting distance of this marker); David Morgan (1721–1813) / Patriot, Defender

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(about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Colonel George S. “Spanky” Roberts, USAF Memorial Bridge (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named The Colonel George S. "Spanky" Roberts, USAF Memorial Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); Francis H. Pierpont (approx. 0.3 miles away); Julia Robertson Pierpont (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sheriff's House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Original Dunbar School (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairmont.

Also see . . . Father’s Day in the United States - Wikipedia Entry. “A ‘Father’s Day’ service was held on July 5, 1908, in Fairmont, West Virginia, in the Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South, now known as Central United Methodist Church. Grace Golden Clayton was mourning the loss of her father when, on December 1907, the Monongah Mining Disaster in nearby Monongah killed 361 men, 250 of them fathers, leaving around a thousand fatherless children. Clayton suggested her pastor Robert Thomas Webb to honor all those fathers. Clayton chose the Sunday nearest to the birthday

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 21, 2014

2. First Father’s Day Service Marker

of her father, Methodist minister Fletcher Golden.” (Submitted on July 5, 2014.)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 21, 2014

3. First Father’s Day Service Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 912 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on April 30, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 5, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.