Minister's Tree House
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
9 reviews for Minister's Tree House
9 reviews in English
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Review from lori d.
Knoxville, TN
4/22/2012
This place is a treasure. I dropped by this past Saturday around 11:30 a.m. There were several families already there. By the time I left some hour or so later the parking lot was full. It was very inspirational for me. This is a real structure intertwined in the trees without idiot proofing! If you're looking for somewhere "safe" to turn your kids loose to run, scream, and be idiots...don't. Small children must be supervised. Parents must communicate their expectations to older kids. Common sense is all that's required. However, imho, lots of folks don't have that these days! Real life consequences are experienced here. Kids of all ages can problem solve, climb, swing, hide, make believe and be awed while exploring the twisty, uneven stairs to the top. The payoff is well worth the trip. I believe in the Ministers Treehouse. It is a magical place. I will return every time I make the Highway 40 drive!
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Review from Karen D.
Antioch, TN
7/28/2011
This is a DO NOT MISS on your list of things to do as you come down 40. Truly awe-inspiring and so much fun to explore. Kids will love it! Give yourself an hour or two at least. Still a work in progress after 18 years, I've never seen anything like it. Great place to take photos too!
Thank heavens some people follow their heavenly inspirations and leave works of wonder like this. -
Review from Lizbeth L.
Casselberry, FL
8/14/2011 1 photo
You have to go here!
People thought I was nuts when I was planning my road trip and found a link to this place...... and said I was excited to see it. But I am telling you it's worth the 15 minute drive off the highway, I happened to be traveling along 40 anyway so of course I made the stop. For the guy who gave two stars b/c he is worried about his kids tripping on a nail......this is not a place you let young children run around in without escorting them through. I was a little bit scared of the house myself but if it was built for Jesus you gotta climb it right?! It's very impressive and there is even a lawn chair made into a swing attached to the top. Kinda apprehensive on the swing but gave it a go anyway. Make sure you drop a few dollars in the donation box, b/c this place does not charge admittance. It was pretty crowded, kids everywhere at least 40 people were there and I showed up on a Wednesday afternoon.
Don't forget a camera! -
Review from Greg S.
Smyrna, TN
9/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Amazing place! That is all I can say. It's worth the drive. Everyone is friendly. It's free! If you live outside the area and are bored, this will make your day better Kids are more than welcome. This is a safe place. This place should be more recognized!
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Review from Lee M.
Goodlettsville, TN
The Tree House is getting a second chance. Graffiti still marks the walls from days gone by but a staff of volunteers and 24 security are giving it a new life.
The old mattresses and broken glass are gone!
I love Horace's creativity such as using an old shower stall door turned sideways for a window.
I got there early Sunday morning to find a nice warm fire in the fire pit outside and several volunteers sweeping out the house before Sunday services.
Still the creaky old spooky/ magical fantasy house but with loving caring staff to see to its needs.
I remember the house when it was barely more than one room.
This ain't Disney World; its better. -
Review from Jesse A.
North East, MD
8/8/2010
World's largest tree house! It's just amazing to see if you can find your way there.
It's a shame he didn't fence it and charge for admission and upkeep. I have seen older pictures where it looked pristine. Now the teens come there to party and hang out which has taken a beating on it. -
Review from Lisa Q.
West Chester, PA
7/26/2010 11 photos
As the story goes, in the early 90s a minister-man named Horace Burgess had a vision from the Lord, who told him to build a house-cum-chapel in the trees. Perhaps His Swiss Family Robinson VHS finally kicked it and God was really hard up for some arboreal entertainment. Compared to what the Alpha & Omega has told other people to do in his name though, Horace received a most thrilling and awe-inspiring project. I don't know if I'd label it a treehouse in the true spirit of the word, its more like a labyrinthine hand-hewn mansion that incorporates trees into its frame. This doesn't make it any less cool, though. The foundation is on terra firma, but it's built *around* a number of giant trees, the limbs of which twist and contort and splay out windows and through holes in the floors and walls in a fashion recalling cephalopodic tentacles breaking through a ship's hull.
Over 90 feet tall with a chime tower at its zenith, this soaring colossal behemoth looks jawdroppingly incredible and exciting as you first sight it driving down the unpaved path, but as you pull closer it also looks very much like a rickety deathtrap. I would *highly* recommend that you take your kids, neighbors, friends, nonnas and pop pops, anyone and everyone to this treehouse as it MUST be seen and explored, but please carry some prudence about you when poking around. The structure in general is sound (that appraisal coming from my uh, utmost authority in all things carpenterial), although you can feel a slight sway as you ascend to its apex, caused by a combination of wind and the antics of my dumbass friend shaking the stairwell to call attention to said sway. I only mention prudence because there are a multitude of spots that invite you to make precarious and potentially dangerous climbs, certain ladders are unsteady; cracks between floorboards range from teensy to canyonesque. Sounds like common sense but its important to look where you step. Another not-uncommon sight is the room or corridor missing a wall, the floorboards ending at a sheer drop to either the outside or to a wood refuse pit below. This all makes for terribly exciting scouting but I would be remiss if I didn't mention the dangers involved, especially if one is bringing small kids.
The heart of the treehouse is a sanctuary with a cross, pews, a basketball hoop (?), and a few wizened bibles. Shafts of sun pour in through the dirty windows and from the chinks between the beams, motes of dust dancing in the swirl of light. Kitschy Jesus paraphernalia abounds. Some chapels have that sacred-space kinda vibe, but the wonderment felt here is exploratory and childlike and pure, not necessarily that of religious ecstasy. However, when in Rome.... I whispered a prayer that building code inspectors never happen out this way, amen.Listed in: Daytripper, Yeah.
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Review from dan d.
San Francisco, CA
7/23/2009
If you find yourself on I-40 driving though Crossville, TN, do yourself a favor and pull off at Exit 320. Follow the directions listed on the website above and give yourself at least 30 minutes to explore this monument to what people will do for religion. I can't explain it much beyond that, just know that it's a treehouse and probably not good for pets or kids. We left our dogs in the car and didn't have any problems.
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Review from Keith O.
Crossville, TN
11/15/2010
I would never let my kids run thru this place alone it is an amazing site but exposed nails and the fact that it is a fire hazard waiting to happens scares me a lot
