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This Neo Classical-style church, which was
built in 1911, is located adjacent to the downtown medical district. Last
year, the congregation sold the church to the medical center and relocated
to a new facility. The church is not protected as a local landmark, and
the new owner plans to demolish the structure to make way for new
construction. The medical center has offered to donate the building to
someone who will move it to another location by August 1st.
UPDATE:
On June 28th, 2005, David Bahlman,
Eiliesh Tuffy and several local preservationists met with medical center
CEO Michael Bryant to discuss options for saving the building. The meeting
lasted eight minutes, during which time LPCI staff questioned Bryant
regarding public funding sources and the possibility of a state-level
review for all proposed expansion plans. Three days later the church was
abruptly demolished. The medical center has yet to announce what will be
built upon the site of the former Unitarian church. Regrettably, in the
hospital’s haste to clear the site, one of Peoria’s architectural
treasures has been lost forever.
Photo credit: City of Peoria
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