Kirk, originally called Elm Grove, arose out of the prairie as a farming community in the 1870-80's. The first store was operated by Jepitha N. Kirk who gave his name to the village when the post office was established in 1887.

On October 13, 1884, G. W. Swafford and wife M. J. Swafford of Hill county, Texas donated and conveyed a plot of land to school trustees J. C. Vance, T. M. Nash, and P. W. Wheelis and their successors in office to be elected by the citizens of the community where the land is situated "for and in consideration of the love we have for the cause of education and the appreciation we have for the memory of the dead."

The deed records that the land was located in Limestone County about 13 miles NW from Groesbeck and being a part of the Dennis Dikes survey. A more particular description for the plot of land is described in the deed. (Limestone Co. Deed Records, Vol. V, p. 116.)

On June 1, 1887, William M. Jacobs joined by his wife Annie J. Jacobs, sold for the price of one dollar a small portion of land, adjoining the land donated by the Swaffords, to the citizens of the Elm Grove community for the purpose of a graveyard. The land was situated in the Dennis Dikes survey and adjoining the land in the L. P. McKnight survey.

On that same day (6-1-1887) the Jacobs' also provided land to the community for a Methodist Episcopal Church South as well as the Elm Grove Baptist Church.

The Kirk Cemetery is located approximately 25 miles east of Waco, Texas on FM 339, approximately halfway between State Highway 164 and State Highway 84.