Nestled near Crossville, Tennessee, the world’s largest treehouse was a tribute to an incredible idea.

Its designer, Horace Burgess, claimed divine inspiration for what became known as “The Minister’s Tree House.” Since 1993, the solid base of six giant trees has supported a stunning 250,000 nails precisely set over its 10 floors.

Spread across many stories, the living space spans over 3000 square meters. Surprisingly, this wooden miracle took 14 years to create and reportedly cost only $12,000.

What kind of person would start such a big project? Perhaps crazy, one could suppose. However, according to Burgess, God prompted him to embark on this incredible undertaking, providing an endless supply of wood.

The treehouse, true to his faith, featured a center room for both prayer and basketball games, along with a penthouse on the eleventh story. A large half-ton church bell added to its magnificence.

Over the years, the many boards that made up the treehouse bore testament to the scars left by curious tourists who came to see this architectural marvel.

Municipal fire laws led to the closure of the treehouse in 2012, despite its popularity. Concerns grew as the fire brigade anticipated the devastating implications of a fire in a structure entirely made of wood.

Regrettably, such concerns came true as the massive treehouse caught fire in less than 30 minutes. Fire destroyed the Minister’s Treehouse, standing 97 feet tall near Crossville, Tennessee.

Constructed in the 1990s with the assurance that the construction of a treehouse would never run out of materials, it featured 80 rooms, including schools, beds, and a kitchen. An 80-foot white oak tree supported it, and a winding staircase connected the five-story building through a wraparound porch.

The inside, a mix of eccentric and holy, included a hand-carved Bible, a towering crucifix, and wooden benches. They even carved the name “Jesus” into the grass beneath the structure, emphasizing its spiritual significance.

Tourism ended in 2012 owing to safety violations, prompting the final closure by state fire marshals.

Captain Derek Carter of the Cumberland County Fire Department swiftly demolished the Minister’s Treehouse, describing it as “very cool, but also very dangerous” after his previous visit.

Despite its return to its original location, the Minister’s Treehouse continues to evoke fond memories for many who once marveled at its grandeur.