This magnificent building that houses Hawker Funeral
Home was constructed in 1919 as a tabernacle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After fifty-seven years as a place of worship, it was sold to Bingham
County as an annex to the courthouse. The lower floor was used for various
offices, while the large upper sanctuary was converted to a civic center.
With the addition of a stage, the space was perfect for plays, pageants,
and graduations. The county used the site until 2002., when the cost of it’s
repairs became prohibitive. With plans to build a new auditorium
elsewhere, the county offered the building and large adjoining parking lot
for sale to the highest bidder. Unfortunately, due to the structure’s
asbestos content, and its subsequent removal, no one was willing to meet
the minimum bid of $150,000.00. Officials then offered the property at
auction again–this time with no minimum.
Enter Perry Hawker, owner of the neighboring Hawker Funeral
Home. Perry had enjoyed the generosity of both the church and county for
the use of their parking lot, since the funeral home did not have one of
its own. He stated, "I was very concerned about who might purchase
the building and what would become of the parking lot we so freely used. I
was told if I wanted a parking lot, I would have to take the building with
it." He decided that buying the property and reselling the tabernacle
would be the best solution.
Knowing he would be out of town at the time of the auction, Perry sent
his younger brother, Tracy, to bid on his behalf, with the instructions:
Do not bid over $100,000.00. The price climbed as the bidding went back
and forth, but when it reached $97,000.00, Tracy just wanted to get it
over with and shouted" $100,000.00!" A hush came over the room,
the gavel dropped, and the building was suddenly sold– to everyone’s
surprise...including Tracy’s!
Perry recalled, "When I returned home to Blackfoot ten days after
the sale, I couldn’t believe how many people stopped me and thanked me
for saving the landmark." Perry had been baptized at the tabernacle and
graduated from high school at the civic center, but never realized how
important it had become to the other members of the community, too. Much more
than a historic building, it is an indelible part of their lives with
profound spiritual meaning and reselling it was now out of the question.
Perry was undaunted by the turn of events; he learned years ago that
life often unfolds differently than planned. In the early 1980's, he was
studying architecture at Idaho State University. He and his wife, Margo,
took an apartment over Downard Funeral Home in Pocatello simply because
the rent was so low. Much to his surprise, he was absolutely drawn to
funeral service and after four years of college, changed his major to
become a mortician. With a positive outlook, Perry believes that the years
he spent in architecture classes paved the way for the enormous task of
transforming the annex into a beautiful funeral home.
The design and intricate brickwork were restored to their original
states, but the interior was entirely gutted and revamped. The basement
was deepened; the main floor was lowered by more than seven feet; and an
upper floor was added.
Today, the construction phase is merely a memory. Natural light streams
in through large windows, casting a warm glow on the textured millet walls
of the foyer. Spindled balconies and brass chandeliers add to the room’s
grandeur while airbrushed angels dance in a swirl of clouds on the 30-foot
vaulted ceiling. Panels of Pakistan marble are engraved with scriptures
and depictions of religious figures, central of which is an image of
Christ with open arms, enveloping visitors in comfort. The main floor has
four viewing rooms and a soundproof, 300 seat chapel that can be combined
to accommodate up to 600 guests. The funeral home has a state-of-the-art
audio and visual system with a large retractable screen for video
tributes. The offices feature three workstations and sole access to a
hidden mid-deck with a cry room and private loft.
The upper floor, accessible by stairs or elevator, houses everything
necessary to make funeral arrangements including conference rooms, casket
room, and cremation room. The family room, library and embalming room are
also located on this level. Perry says that the benefits to having a separate location for making arrangements are immeasurable. "It has
been wonderful to have a funeral or viewing happening and still be able to
take family members upstairs and have them feel like they are the only
ones we have to serve."
The basement is primarily used for storage. When one of its walls was
removed, what remained of the tabernacle’s baptismal font was exposed.
Perry states, "A great number of the townspeople had been baptized in
the font and we decided it was worth refurbishing. During every viewing
and funeral we have, there are people who ask to go downstairs and see the
font where they were baptized. We had an abundance of original tiles from
the font that we have allowed people to take as mementos."
Despite people’s comments, Perry had underestimated the building’s
significance. That is, until March 2004, when more that 4000 people
attended the firm’s open house. "I just couldn’t believe how
important this building was to so many people", he said. In addition,
nearly every day, visitors arrive at 132 South Shilling Avenue, wanting to
tour the building. Perry concluded, "I have felt very honored to have
our business in such a unique and beautiful building. It is rewarding to
know this old building–that has been a part of the community– will
continue to be used as a gathering place to honor the lives of the
families we serve."
