Burkeville Church of God
Burkeville, Newton County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The Church of God reformation began in Indiana in 1881 as a Christian unity movement opposed to undue organization. This congregation, founded in 1901, is the oldest known Church of God fellowship in the state. Alice McAlfin, a teacher in the Pine Knot School (4 mi. NE), brought information about the Church of God from Leesville, Louisiana. Several area residents, including John Cousins, Jim Smith, and Will Smith, began attending the services. With their leadership the Burkeville congregation was established. Services were first conducted in the Pine Knot Schoolhouse. Annual summer camp meetings, often lasting several weeks, were held in a tent on the banks of McGraw Creek (3.5 mi. NE). Since services were held three times each day, family camps were set up on the banks of the creek. A wooden house was constructed for use by the preachers. A nearby water mill regulated the level of the creek, allowing it to be used for baptisms year-round. Members built a wooden tabernacle on the creek site that was used until 1927 when the congregation moved to a new tabernacle in south Burkeville. A wooden sanctuary, constructed at the present site in 1944, was replaced by the current edifice in 1973.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The Church of God reformation began in Indiana in 1881 as a movement for Christian unity, and word of it reached deep East Texas through Alice McAlfin, a schoolteacher who had learned of it in Louisiana. The congregation she helped gather in 1901 is thought to be the oldest Church of God fellowship in Texas. For years it worshiped in a schoolhouse and held weeks-long summer camp meetings and creekside baptisms before building its own tabernacles.
Why it matters
The congregation's story shows how new religious movements spread across the rural South through teachers, camp meetings, and neighborly word of mouth.
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Related people
- · Alice McAlfin
- · John Cousins
Themes & tags
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