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Faith

This Church Is Also the World’s Biggest Tree House, Built By the ‘Spirit of God’ (With No Blueprints)

Jun. 18, 2012 8:11am Billy Hallowell

Horace Burgess Builds Treehouse Church in Tennessee |

Image Credit: YouTube

Churches come in many shapes and sizes. From inflatable houses of worship to churches that can be parachuted into areas of combat, the diversity of building design is certainly intriguing. And to add to the mix, today, we bring you the highly uncommon tree house chapel.

The 100-foot building, called “The Minister’s Treehouse,” was built in Crossville, Tennessee, over a period of 11 years. Unlike other houses of worship that are meticulously plotted and blueprinted, this particular building was constructed without any solidified plans.

Image Credit: Photographer Kristin Sweeting

Rather than stain-glass windows and perfected structure, it features wooden panels and is built — you guessed it — around seven trees. Inside, the church is about 10,000 square feet, but its exact dimensions aren’t known.

Upon seeing the structure, numerous questions come to mind. To begin, why in the world would someone build a tree house church? RoadsideAmerica.com has the backstory:

In the early 1990s, landscaper Horace Burgess bought some wooded land on the outskirts of Crossville, Tennessee. One of the bigger trees, next to a dirt road, caught his eye. He decided to build the world’s largest tree house in its branches.

But Horace had a job and a family. After spending a couple of years on the project, he ran out of lumber and enthusiasm.

“Then I turned my life over to God,” Horace recalled. “And the spirit of God said, ‘If you build Me a tree house, I’ll never let you run out of material.’”

God doesn’t make housing offers every day. Horace got himself ordained as a minister and went back to work. God showed Horace what the tree house would look like (“It was like a vision”) but didn’t tell Horace how big it would be. “If He had,” Horace said, “I would’ve tried to talk Him out of it.”

Image Credit: Photographer Kristin Sweeting

While Horace loves the house of worship, it doesn’t come without its problems. The building is frequently vandalized, with smashed windows, graffiti and other negative actions being taken. That in mind, the faithful man plans to continue construction on the building, adding a welcome booth, among other elements (an elevator, plumbing, etc.).

“I built it for God, and God watches over it,” he told RoadsideAmerica.com. “He’s protected everyone for all these years.”

You can find more images of the astonishing tree house on photographer Kristin Sweeting‘s web site.

(H/T: Colossal)

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Comments (75)

Nanaswords
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 1:25pm
Horace definitely has good intentions… but I would not be so sure about a great deal of people climbing up and in this structure ! Seems as though he is one of those persons that wants to see how many “bites” he will get for this structure approval. My personal opinion is that I would not have enough faith in this builder… to give it a full inside look. What happened to the “Open field worship services” ? With a “Bring your own chairs” method ? That is calling it …Keep it simple you-all !!! Southern Style !!!

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- antiprogressive
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 3:42pm
  I saw this on TV a while back.
  Insane.
  Incredible.
  Awesome.
  
  I’d live there without fear for life.
  
  Report this comment
SuperSuineg
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:50pm
it’s not really a “tree house” because it is not built in the tree, it is however, built around a tree or two and the footing looks ok it should hold for a long time. i’d go to the top…

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TheSitRep
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:39pm
In a free country you should be able to build and live in anything you want.
It is only when your silly design puts others in risk that we should regulate it.

For a hundred years Hawaiian homes were build with single wall construction and jalousie windows.
That worked out great and kept building costs down.
Now you have to have double wall w/ insulation and double pane windows.
This just make housing less affordable and gives roaches a place to breed and live.

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- toto
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 1:34pm
  Lets hope we can keep this free country where people with vision can do what they want on their own property as long as they are not infringing on or hurting others. I love the tree house! What many hours of enjoyment it has brought to him. Beats sitting on your tush all day watching the boob tube.
  
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- CharlesMartel
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:45pm
  Maybe they still believe in the separation of church and state inspectors in Tennessee?
  
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4QU
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:56am
For all of you that think this is some kind of shrine rather than a potential death trap…you are more than welcome to test your faith..when this mass of lumber falls on a passerby..I hope you have a checking account that has a lot of zeros behind a positive balance.

This is not an “Ark” that would float either…

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- lukerw
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:46pm
  It reminds me… of religious retreats… that Monks built for protection… as can be found in most of the Ancient Places!
  
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coloneloliver
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:28am
I have been to this amazing tree house and climbed to the very top. I have some building experience and the supports, cross members etc. are solid. There is some graffiti and signs of perhaps someone staying there for extended periods of time. I will not comment on God’s involvement or the builders revelations. However, it is as astonishing as the pictures indicate. It is well worth the time to see it.

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- lukerw
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 1:47pm
  It is Inspired… even if Strange!
  
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wordweaver
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:07am
From the available pictures, I think it would call for a large measure of faith to worship in this structure.

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Jude 4
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:36am
God does not dwell in anything made by a mans hands.

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- Wibbins
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:52am
  God dwells everywhere he pleases
  
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- jamesctheman
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:55am
  Wow. I’m amazed. Insightful commentary on the obvious. It’s built to honor God. Horace said God watches over it. He didn’t say come on in & meet God & Jesus, they’re in here shooting pool. If I was God I could find some other places to dwell that might be a bit more interesting than a trehouse. Although I admit this is an amazing structure & his dedication & love for our Lord is unwavering.
  
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- DissenterKnight
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:31am
  True, the church is not a structure but the gathered people, come together to worship G-d. But, the places we gather do often take on an air of worship all their own. Not that we worship them, but that they lend themselves to the honor and glory of not just the craftsmen who formed them, but for the Creator who inspired the creation. The Shrine of Our Lady in Carey, Ohio, the National Cathedral in Washington, Roslyn Chapel in Scotland, the Cathdral de Coma Pedrosa in Andorra le Vella, a handful of places around the Holy Land. These places are not the “houses” of G-d, but they are special in the worship of G-d.
  
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Magyar
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:29am
The point—- he built it to HONOR GOD– something many of you refuse to acknowledge!

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- Christ the Lord
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:45pm
  This is MY First Time ~ Saying Thank You to an Individual. Honor, is Why I SEALED the 144,000 in Japan a few Years ago. Now, TODAY, with you, We are Pleased to Announce Tha those WE SEALED are NOW AND FOREVERMORE HEALED.AMEIAMEIA.,.
  
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- dennisS
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 7:12pm
  Enicom, your mother is calling you for dinner. You’re not divine yet!
  
  Report this comment
4QU
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:27am
For those who think we don’t need building inspectors or codes, check the buildings in the third world countries that believe God will protect them…buildings collapse, people die..and they don’t go to heaven…

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- ApostolicIlx
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:54am
  OK, prove they don’t go to heaven. I’ll be waiting for your proof. Hurry, shouldn’t take a smart guy like you very long.
  
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- LetUsReason
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:42am
  @ 4QU
  
  I see you’ve made yourself judge and jury on the matter. I hope you judge well, because that judgment that you give will be returned upon you.
  
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- phillyatheist
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 1:32pm
  APSTO – i’ll correct his statement. it is incredibly unlikely that there is a heaven to go to. no proof required anymore. now it’s your turn – provide proof that there is a heaven. shouldn’t take long for someone as faithful as you.
  
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- Copo
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 2:14pm
  @APOSTO Going to Heaven is part of the immortal soul doctrine, which is pagan and unbiblical. Its just as fake a purgatory, when someone dies they are dead. Remember what the snake told Eve in the Garden “You shall surely not die”, that was a lie. At the second coming there will be a resurrection of the dead, those who did not accept Christ’s sacrifice will have separated themselves from God (who is basically spiritual life support), making them dead, and those who did will have eternal life.
  
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Skee
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:13am
Built by the spirit of God.
Held up by the hands of God.
One would need alot of faith to step foot in that structure.
Hard hats required.

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4QU
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:44am
What asinine building inspector allowed this disaster waiting to happen be built in the first place?

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- Abraham Young
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:48am
  Right. We need building inspectors. What on earth would we do without a government bureaucrat to oversee us?
  
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- Abraham Young
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:51am
  B4 our modern times with building inspectors and all, no one ever built a building.
  
  Report this comment
- ET43
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:00am
  I guess they don’t have such a thing in Tennessee. I would guess that upon entering the tree house you have to sign a wavier acknowledging that you could die at any second and Horace is not liable. Which would be Gods will….
  
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- Sully9378
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:46am
  Building inspectors are a necessary evil. I for one believe that the government has the role of protecting the people. People can and do die because shoty workmanship. The building codes are inforced to save peoples lives. Plus I doubt an insurrance company would insure such a structure without an engineer going over the structural integrity. However what he has done is pretty neat.
  
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- Thwarkmaster
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:59am
  This casual approach to construction is very common throughout Kentucky and Tennessee. Someone puts up a wall, installs wiring and plumbing, puts up another wall, a fireplace or two or three, a second floor, and and the work just continues, without plans, until the person feels comfortable with the structure. Hooking up to the local water and power systems sometimes presents problems, sometimes not. This guy will likely run into problems with the local authorities now that he’s all over the internet.
  A couple of years ago, a man built a house right in Nashville, just taking workers to his house and pointing here and there, directing the work. The city let him finish, for some reason, before tearing it down.
  
  Report this comment
- DissenterKnight
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:38am
  @ SULLY9378
  
  “People can and do die because shoty workmanship. The building codes are inforced to save peoples lives.”
  
  First, you sort of weaken you point right off the bat; people die due to bad practices despite the existence of building codes. Building codes serve to protect big business, that’s right; the evil insurance companies are the principle benefactors of building codes.
  
  The existence of a building code -when it is violated- grants the insurance company an out when it comes to paying off on a claim against a construction company who violates them. If you’re the building owner, the building code -when it’s violated- gives your insurance company a means of legal recourse by which to recoup their outlay of capital from the construction company that built / designed the building.
  
  And in all that, despite the outs provided to big business, people are still dead; despite building codes.
  
  Report this comment
- HollyPerry
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:02pm
  Actually most counties in Tennessee do not have building codes nor inspectors. We believe that we have the right to build structure’s on our own property without government interference or need to pay fees and permits and all of the other money generating inclinations of public safety. It is a ridiculous notion that we would build unsafe homes for our families to live in. Like anywhere else your free to hire inspectors to check any home your considering buying. Our insurance is not effected what so ever but if you live in farm country as most of this state does we do not see the need to pay a fee just to build a new chicken coop. Larger populated counties have codes do to the much higher rate of living in a home built by builders. We have barns and homes hundreds of years old still standing and I have not heard of one death or even problems with living structure’s here ever new or old. It is in your own best interest to build a safe structured homes to live in it is just common sense if it is for your own family or as a builder and your livelihood it doesn’t matter. Unless you live in a small town such as ours you wouldn’t understand what your reputation as a business and or a person means not just to your income but to your standing and social comfort for lack of a better term. Being an outcast in a place where everyone knows your name is not a good thing.
  
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- Tractorboy
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:47pm
  I’m sure Noah had all his permits and papers in proper order before the washing of the earth. Live and let live, people get hurt on crap inspected by man all the time, stop the nonsense return to common sense.
  
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Stoic one
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:38am
Awebome.

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Mr Sanders
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:28am
Man…. Watched the second video…. wow…. passing on……

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MRMANN
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:26am
I love wood–the look of it, the smell of it, the feel of it. This treehouse is outrageously amazing–
10,000 ft. and built around 7 trees. I only hope that the structure is stronger & safer than it appears to be!

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- qpwillie
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:38am
  Yeah, I’m not too sure about it’s structural integrity. I’ll let other people test it out.
  Me? I ain’t going up there.
  
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Mr Sanders
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:20am
Wow!!!! That is fantastic. My son would absolutely LOVE to climb around in that treehouse!! 10K S.F. of running, climbing, swinging, doing up/downs, sliding.

What I’m amazed by is the shear size and no structural engineers. Looks like he’s done his cross bracing and he must be building on a dome of rock! He should draw a plan of it! He should do a 360 walkthrough of it too. That IS a work of art!!

Creativity of the next level came from the Lord the day the Tabernacle’s plans were given to the artisans. This is where a whole new level of innovation started. Nice.

If it was inspiration from Him – wow. God is so cool!!

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BannedByHuffpo
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 9:20am
Size? I’m guessing it’s about 30 cubits by 40 cubits by 15 cubits. And as an added plus, when the big flood comes, it’s gonna float.

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searching for the Truth
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:49am
Nice sanctuary – needs lots of electrical insulation.

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Countrygirl1362
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:39am
That is neat.

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Baddoggy
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:38am
Uh Oh…Now the Government and enviromental nutjobs knows about it. I am sure they will be making him take it down soon enough. It does not meet code. We have no freedoms to do such things to a tree ya know!

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sawbuck
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:33am
Well I’m having a hard time with this guys claim..
first of all.. The Lord Jesus knows.. “Carpentry”…
And it appears to me ..This man…..Is NO carpenter…!

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MikeJoyous11
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:30am
This seems so sweet to me. I felt like crying. I wish I had the money now to go to Tennessee and see it. I happen to be an Ayn Rand-atheist, but I don’t know. As I look at that treehouse, I feel as if a child had built a play place in dedication to his spirit.

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EP46
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:28am
What America needs are hundreds, thousands of good old fashioned tent revivals spread across the nation. Is that ‘illegal’ now ?

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- Tom K
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 4:04pm
  With the Anti-Christian attitude growing in this country, you would need multiple permits to just put up the tent for a revival meeting. { Is the tent fire resistant? Was the wiring checked and certified ? Is the dirt floor handicapped accessible ? , etc } Better to just get an Occupy Permit and then you could do whatever you wanted to do !
  
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:26am
Wonderfull.

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randy
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:25am
I’m sorry, did you see the balconies being supported by branches?
No thanks, I’ll worship outside.

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T-2
Posted on June 18, 2012 at 8:22am
That’s an awesome tree house. I don’t think it would be vandalized if he had said this is part of a “green” movement.

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- Pontiac
  Posted on June 18, 2012 at 11:06am
  [I don’t think it would be vandalized if ]
  No worries. It already looks vandalized.
  
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