Knoxville Church Rises from the Ashes After Devastating Fire

St. George Greek Orthodox Church rebuilt and reopened after a 2015 Easter Sunday blaze caused over $5 million in damage.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:04am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of the domed roof of a traditional Byzantine-style church, repeated in a grid pattern with bold outlines and vibrant neon colors, conceptually representing the restoration of a historic place of worship.The vibrant restoration of St. George Greek Orthodox Church's iconic architecture symbolizes the congregation's resilience and unity in rebuilding their spiritual home.Knoxville Today

On Orthodox Easter Sunday in 2015, a devastating fire broke out at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, causing extensive damage to the sanctuary. The church community came together to restore the building, which reopened in 2019 after over $5 million in repairs covered by insurance. Today, the church serves a diverse Pan-Orthodox congregation.

Why it matters

The fire at St. George Greek Orthodox Church was a tragic event, but the congregation's resilience and unity in rebuilding their spiritual home demonstrates the power of community in overcoming adversity. The restoration of this historic church building also preserves an important part of Knoxville's architectural and cultural heritage.

The details

The fire broke out around 6:50 a.m. on April 12, 2015, the same day as Orthodox Easter that year. Flames climbed the walls into the rafters, causing extensive damage to the sanctuary, stained glass windows, and mosaics. One firefighter was injured when a large crucifix fell from the roof. During the restoration period, the church held services in its adjacent community hall.

  • The fire occurred on Orthodox Easter Sunday, April 12, 2015.
  • In June 2015, the church held a thank you feast for the Knoxville Fire Department.
  • Greekfest was still held at the church in September 2015.
  • The church reopened with a special service attended by 275 people in 2019.
  • The restoration work cost over $5 million and was completed by 2019.

The players

St. George Greek Orthodox Church

A historic church in Knoxville, Tennessee, known for its traditional Byzantine architecture and design since the building was constructed in 1969.

Deacon Mark Smith

A member of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church congregation who spoke about the church's restoration efforts.

Rev. Anthony Stratis

The pastor of St. George Greek Orthodox Church at the time of the 2015 fire.

Sirio Tonelli

The renowned Italian iconographer who originally created the mosaic work in the church and agreed to help restore it after the fire.

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What they’re saying

“The fire, instead of being a a devastating thing, it was really a unifying event.”

— Deacon Mark Smith, Church Member

“There's always glimmers of light in any tragedy.”

— Rev. Anthony Stratis, Pastor

What’s next

The church continues to serve its diverse Pan-Orthodox congregation, preserving its rich cultural and architectural heritage in Knoxville.

The takeaway

The resilience and unity of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church community in rebuilding their spiritual home after a devastating fire demonstrates the power of faith and community to overcome adversity. Their restoration efforts not only preserved an important part of Knoxville's history, but also strengthened the congregation's bonds.