S. P. Hawkins Home & Burkburnett's First Church
by Liz Edwards

In October 1880 in the home of S. P. Hawkins the First Baptist Church of Burkburnett was organized. This was possibly the first church of any denomination in the pioneer settlement. It was called Gilbert Missionary Baptist Church. The first pastor was Rev. Henry Albright.

Crop failures and other hardships caused many members to move away until Mr. & Mrs. Hawkins were the only members left.

In 1890 the church was reorganized as the Gilbert Baptist Church with Mr. & Mrs. Hawkins, Mattie Hawkins, G. S. Hawkins, Rev. J. L. Hawkins, and Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Willis as charter members. In the fall of 1907 the church was moved to town and became the first church in the small village.