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Historic Koinonia House Demolition Plans Halted

The historic Victorian mansion at 1509 N. Knoxville is slated for demolition.
Tim Shelley / WCBU
The historic Victorian mansion at 1509 N. Knoxville is slated for demolition.

It appears the historic Koinonia House on Knoxville Avenue may be spared an appointment with the wrecking ball, after all.

Owner Chris Petruzzi said in an e-mail Sunday that he's signed a contract for the sale of the 125-year-old mansion, and demolition plans are halted. He declined to elaborate further. 

The house sustained heavy damages in a July 2019 cooking fire. But after demolition plans were publicized, a grassroots effort formed to save the house.

Architect Warren H. Milner built the house at 1509 N. Knoxville for Peoria businessman Peter Spruck in 1894. The four-story mansion previously served as the first Family House, temporary lodging for families with a loved one in the hospital. 

Copyright 2021 WCBU. To see more, visit WCBU.

Tim Shelley is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.