AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 10, 2026
Fire Devastates Holiday Preparations at Overcoming Believers Church
Months after a fire struck Overcoming Believers Church in East Knoxville, church leaders are facing the difficult task of rebuilding for the holidays. With Christmas approaching, the church is working to replace hundreds of donated gifts and decades of cherished decorations—items that were destroyed in the July 27 fire.
Details of the July Fire and Its Aftermath
The fire broke out at Overcoming Believers Church, located at 211 Harriet Tubman Street, and was traced to a wall-mounted heating and air conditioning unit in the dining area. According to the Knoxville Fire Department, the cause was determined to be accidental. Though flames were primarily contained to the cafe and children’s ministry areas, smoke damage permeated nearly the entire building, ruining furniture and making regular worship services impossible.
Senior Pastor Daryl Arnold described arriving at the scene soon after a call alerted him to the emergency. "The sanctuary, the classrooms, the corridor, the green room, the media, nursery — all of that was spared from the fire, but the smoke damage took every piece of furniture," he said. The congregation has temporarily relocated its ministry activities to the Change Center.
Major Losses: Nearly 1,000 Christmas Gifts and Years of Decorations
Among the most significant losses were close to 1,000 Christmas gifts intended for the church’s annual Blessings on Bell Street holiday outreach. Valued at roughly $25,000, the presents had been carefully stored in preparation for this year’s event. However, most were rendered unusable by fire or smoke exposure, and church leaders chose not to risk distributing items that could be contaminated.
In addition, approximately 20 years of Christmas decorations—used to create a festive environment for the annual event—were also destroyed. Pastor Arnold noted these are among the most expensive items to replace. Organizing Blessings on Bell Street typically costs the church between $30,000 and $40,000 each year.
Annual Blessings on Bell Street Event to Continue
Despite these challenges, the church remains committed to holding the Blessings on Bell Street event on December 12. Last year, the program served around 2,200 families, distributing gifts, nearly 500 grocery baskets, and almost 2,000 hot meals thanks to community partners. This year, the event will move to the Change Center at 203 Harriet Tubman Street due to limitations at the damaged church building. The extended five-hour schedule aims to accommodate as many families as possible.
Public Relations Director Deborah Spencer emphasized the impact of the losses and the importance of community support: "The community has been great with helping us out throughout the years, and now within a few hours, everything is gone." Both Arnold and Spencer stressed their determination to ensure that families still receive a meaningful holiday experience despite the obstacles.
How Community Members Can Support the Christmas Gift Drive
The church is appealing to individuals, organizations, businesses, and local groups to help restore the christmas gift drive. Needed items include:
- New, unwrapped toys and gifts (valued at $20–$25 each) for children
- Gift cards ($20–$25 each), especially for teens and young adults
- Christmas decorations, including artificial trees (preferably taller than six feet), garlands, and other festive items
- Volunteers for painting, decoration, construction, and event preparation
- Community toy and gift card drives organized by local groups
Arnold urged community members to keep donated gifts unwrapped, so organizers can sort them appropriately by age before distribution. He also encouraged donations of unused artificial trees and decorations to help rebuild the event atmosphere. The deadline for having donated supplies ready is December 1.
Contact Information for Donations and Volunteering
Those wishing to contribute or to volunteer can contact Overcoming Believers Church at 211 Harriet Tubman Street, Knoxville, TN 37915, or by phone at (865) 633-9050. Callers can leave a message if staff are unavailable. The church is also open to coordinating donation drives and volunteer opportunities with other groups in the community.
While Overcoming Believers Church continues to recover from the fire’s impact, church leaders express gratitude for the ongoing community support and remain dedicated to making this year’s Blessings on Bell Street a memorable celebration for local families in need.
Source: wkrn.com.
