The story of the Crossville, Tennessee Tree House Ministry is a riveting tale of great vision, divine inspiration, community involvement, regulatory challenges, and ultimately a tragic demise.
The largest tree house in the world is located in Crossville, Tennessee, USA.
The owner, Horace Burgess, claims that he received the order to build the house from God. An alternative name for it is “The Minister’s Tree House”.
The ten floors of the house were built using more than two hundred and fifty thousand nails between 1993 and 1993. The foundation consists of six oaks.
Adding up all the floors, the total “living area” is more than 3000 square meters.
Although the house was built entirely of wood, it took 14 years to complete and was estimated to cost about $12,000.
Who the hell would build something like that? Maybe crazy, you think.
Horace Burgess claims that in 1993, God commanded him to build a tree house and promised him that he would never run out of wood.
God seems to have fulfilled his promise so far.
The building has a large central area that can be used for basketball games or prayer, in addition to the penthouse located on the tenth floor.
It also has a half-ton church bell.
The numerous wooden planks that make up the structure now adorn the footsteps of visitors.
After a short period of operation, the house was closed in 2012 due to violations of local fire regulations.
Local firefighters fear that a massive fire could break out, which would be devastating for the structure made entirely of wood.
Finally it happened…
In less than thirty minutes, a 97-foot-tall wooden treehouse burned down near Crossville, Tennessee, which was the world’s largest treehouse.
When architect Harold Burgess said in an interview that “if you build a tree house, you never run out of material,” construction began in the early 1990s. He did it honestly.
Over the course of two decades, the minister’s treehouse was built from raw wood donated by the municipality.
The mansion consisted of five stories with eighty rooms, including bedrooms, kitchens, and study rooms, all held together by an eighty foot tall white oak tree.
The individual levels were connected by a spiral staircase and a large veranda. The interior decor, which included wooden pews, a towering cross and a hand-carved Bible, expertly mixed the grotesque and the holy.
Under the structure, the name “JESUS” was carefully plowed into the lawn.
The tree house attracted guests looking for an unusual experience because it was used for religious services.
State firefighters closed the treehouse to tourists in 2012 due to numerous violations, such as not having a load distribution system, having uneven floors and potential fall hazards, going above code, and not having a licensed design professional on staff.
Burgess posted a sign reading “Closed by State Fire Marshal” after the state fire marshal ordered the building closed. Send them your complaints.”
Captain Derek Carter of the Cumberland County Incident Squad was on the scene when local police were called to report the incident.
“When we arrived it was basically a pile of rubble. We had to park 500 yards away because the fire was so hot,” explains Carter. After the firefighters got to the scene, it took about fifteen minutes to put out the fire.
Pigeon Forge native Macy Leatherwood celebrated Christmas 2018 at Cumberland Mountain State Park with her family.
Because of its size and originality, Leatherwood declared the minister’s tree house “highlight of the trip”.
She had a beautiful view, although the only way she could see the house was through the fence.
She was inconsolable when she learned that the house had burned down. “It will definitely be a cherished memory of the family trip and I will never forget that tree house.”
When he went to the treehouse as a tourist before it was closed to the public, Captain Carter was off duty and called it a “death trap.”
His summary was: “It was very cool, but it was also very dangerous.”
Horace Burgess embarked on a monumental task in response to what he believed to be a divine decree. The colossal structure, rising from the support of six oak trees, was a testament to his dedication and generosity to the community. It became a symbol of both eccentricity and holiness, attracting visitors seeking a unique experience and even hosting religious services.
However, despite its amazing design and purpose, the treehouse faced regulatory hurdles and was eventually closed due to fire code violations. The closure marked the end of an era for the iconic structure, which became a treasured memory for many visitors, such as Macy Leatherwood, who considered it the highlight of her family trip.
The tragic conclusion came quickly and dramatically when the massive wooden tree house, once a source of wonder and controversy, ended in a devastating fire. The flames engulfed the structure within minutes, leaving behind a pile of debris and memories.
The conflicting views of the treehouse—seen as both a miracle and a danger—underscore the complexity of such ambitious endeavors. Captain Carter’s sober assessment that it is “very cool, but also very dangerous” reflects the dichotomy of admiration and fear that surrounded the structure.
Ultimately, the Minister’s Treehouse is a testament to human ingenuity, faith-driven ambition, community collaboration, regulatory challenges and a tragically swift and fiery end. Its story will live on in the memories of those who marveled at its grandeur and in lessons about the fine balance between aspiration and safety in construction and design.