Discover Stevinson

Stevinson offers several clearly distinct points of interest for planning a trip: Hagaman Park on the Merced River, the history of St. Mary's Church, and cultural programs tied to specific years. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Stevinson, these topics can help you decide what to focus on during your trip. The park provides a direct connection to the river; the church history is anchored by dates, while the festival examples are tied to individual annual programs.

Hagaman Park on the Merced River

Hagaman Park is located at 19914 W. River Road in Stevinson, California, on the Merced River. The address identifies the specific location; the river adds geographical context. For planning your trip, these are two clear points of reference: the street address and the location by the river. They help you identify the park as a distinct place in Stevinson, separate from the historical topics surrounding St. Mary's Church and the dated festival programs.

St. Mary's Church: History and Chronology

The history of St. Mary's Church can be traced through several dates. The church was consecrated on September 29, 1918. The first Feast of the Holy Spirit in Stevinson had already taken place on July 21 of that same year, just over two months before the consecration. The Stevinson Pentecostal Association was also founded in 1918. In 1925, St. Mary's Church became an independent parish. This sequence brings together several milestones: the first festival, the consecration, the founding of the Association, and, later, the status of an independent parish. Another specific aspect of the church's history concerns its financing: it began with a St. Patrick's Day dance at the Opera House. This event adds a gathering associated with financing the church to the church's milestones.

Festas de Santo Antão and Dated Programs

Past Festas de Santo Antão in Stevinson can also be understood through specific program items. The 2025 Festas de Santo Antão in Stevinson included Cantorias ao Desafio featuring singer José Luciano Nobre Fernandes de Carvalho Esteves, who is from the Azores. The Santo Antao Association's now-past 2026 program included a procession from Stevinson Hall to St. Mary's Catholic Church with a statue of Santo Antão. The same now-past 2026 program also included a traditional Pezinho with singers from São Jorge, Terceira, Hilmar, and Modesto, as well as a mixed bullfight. The years put these examples in context: the Cantorias were part of the 2025 program, while the other program items mentioned were part of the 2026 program. This places singing, a procession, Pezinho, and a bullfight side by side as distinct components of the respective festival programs.

Railroad History in the History-Train Program

The History-Train program by The Double T focuses on the impact of the railroad on small communities. It includes a two-hour virtual reality experience with a 20-minute documentary. The evening program also includes a tour of an agricultural museum in California. Its focus on the railroad and community development sets it apart from the church history and festival traditions; the documentary and museum tour complement the virtual presentation with additional program elements. The stated duration provides a concrete reference point for planning your time. As schedules can change, check the program's availability before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Los Banos, Gustine, Winton, Atwater, Merced

Go to the main travel overview: Merced.