God Told Him To Build This!

The Minister's Tree House in Crossville, Tennessee

Up to as many as 500 tourists a week visit The Minister's Tree House

Minister Horace Burgess

About 15 years ago Minister Horace Burgess said he was deep in prayer when God made a request for him to build an extraordinary tree-house, promising him that he would never run out of materials to complete the task.

Made from mostly scrap wood

Burgess had no real architectural plan when he was building this tree-house. Supported by a huge white Oak Tree which is 12 feet in diameter and 80 feet tall along with 6 other trees, this tree-house is made of scrap wood from pallets, sheds and barns and pretty much any where scrap would could be found. Most of the supplies have been donated. It is estimated that 258,000 nails have been used so far in securing each piece in place. Never really ever measuring it Burgess estimates it's size to be between 8,000 & 10,000 sq ft. Burgess built the tree house on land he had bought 10 years prior to God's request. In the future he has plans to add plumbing, heating and even an elevator. He also has plans to build a huge spiral staircase around the whole tree-house, calling it "Stairway to Heaven".

God's tree-house

Soon after a vision that came to him taking only 4 seconds for God to make his instructions perfectly clear, Burgess quit his job and went straight to work on the tree-house. Built for everyone - turning no one away - he calls it God's tree-house. Burgess says God keeps watch over it. Burgess says that God send him visitors that most houses of worship would probably turn away. One such person ended up residing in the tree-house for three years. He was nicknamed "the keeper of the tree-house." After his death Burgess sprinkled some of his ashes from the top of the tree-house and the rest was buried at the base.

Sunday Service

Every Sunday at 1 o'clock he welcomes everyone in, including dogs!

The old rugged altar

Burgess named the alter "The old rugged alter." At the first fork in the tree-house up a winding staircase Burgess says "This is a praise tree" because the two limbs spread out like a preacher raising arms toward heaven."

Sanctuary - Basket Ball court

With the pews pushed aside the sanctuary doubles as a basket ball court!

A place for teens to gather for bible study perhaps?

This room was probably used a lot by the man nicknamed "the keeper of the tree-house" during his 3 year stay. Although the tree-house has 80 rooms to choose from! A tree-house with 80 rooms! Could you imagine?

Many staircases!

With 80 rooms, this tree-house has many staircases and doorways. Every room on each floor also has a porch and plenty of sunlight.

What tree-house would be complete with out.....

A swing of course! A swing reinforced with duct tape on the seat and ropes...hangs what no tree-house should be with out.

Taller than the trees that support it

Looking out way above the mighty Oak Trees that are used to support this 97 foot tree house is closer to heaven than the law allows.

State Fire Marshall shut it down

In August 2012 Tennessee stare Fire Marshall's office shut down the tree-house. Because it has become a tourist attraction it violates many safety codes.... Among the reasons being; It is over 60 feet higher than regulations allow, there was no professional architect involved in the design or building of, the structural stability of the building is questionable, exits are not clearly marked and navigation through out is a bit confusing, there are no fire alarms or sprinkler system or extinguishers. In order for the state to even entertain the idea of allowing Burgess to reopen, he must hire the help of registered professionals to help him bring it up to code. There is a petition to help reopen the tree-house.

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