Historic Building at Knoxville College Destroyed in Devastating Fire

A significant fire broke out at Knoxville College on Monday evening, resulting in the destruction of Elnathan Hall, a 126-year-old administrative building on the campus. The building, which had been largely vacant for decades, was a part of the historically Black college that has faced numerous challenges since losing its accreditation in 1997.

The Knoxville Fire Department responded to the scene, describing the fire as ‘heavy.’ Despite their efforts, the building was completely destroyed. The fire department’s investigation unit is currently searching for the cause of the fire.

Knoxville College, founded by the Presbyterian Church in 1875, has struggled financially and with declining student enrollment since its accreditation was revoked. By the time the college closed its doors in May 2015, only 11 students were enrolled. Recently, in August, the college applied for accreditation with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, but the application was marred by at least 23 compliance violations, including issues with student enrollment reporting, leadership confusion, and significant financial concerns, including a debt of $400,000.

The loss of Elnathan Hall is a significant blow to the college’s already fragile state, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by this historic institution. The community is awaiting the results of the fire investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding this devastating event.