Church building collapses in Peoria: demolition is scheduled

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of a church building collapse in Peoria early Saturday morning. Firefighters responded to a report of a roof collapse at 231 South Saratoga Street around 7:45 a.m., finding only two walls remaining of the United Fellowship Ministries building. Fortunately, the building was unoccupied at the time.

Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries to firefighters or civilians. As of now, the cause of the collapse remains unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.

The collapse resulted in a power outage in the neighborhood, with nearby power lines damaged and a potential gas leak, prompting Ameren's involvement. Surrounding buildings and homes were evacuated while city inspectors assessed the building for emergency demolition, which occurred after Ameren's work was completed.

Michael White and his wife, both church members, were among those asked to leave their homes due to the risk of further damage to their property. Despite the unfortunate incident, the church's congregation still plans to gather on Sunday morning.

The church, originally built in 1939, had undergone significant renovations costing around $300,000. However, the estimated damage to the structure and its contents is now valued at over $1.5 million.