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Orono Council Members,Planning Commission Members
Orono,MN 55356
Re:Planning Commission Members Minutes of 18'�February 2014.
Subject: 565 Leaf St
After reading the Planning Commission minutes regarding the property at 565 Leaf St,currently occupied
by Woods Chapel,I thought it best to educate the Planning Commission members and the Council
regarding the history of the property in question.
My name is Walter Koronkiewicz and I live north of the property reference in the minutes.My wife and I
have lived here since 1978.In your minutes you keep refemng to the building that burned in 1976 as the
church.That is wrong, for the members of the congregation as well as the minister at the time called it the
Parrish House. I was an Elder,Chairman of the Elders,Trustee,and finally Chairman of the Trustee at the
time of the Parrish House burning down.
T'he building was originally a donkey house, it was changed in the 1960's.It seems a member of the
congregation was cured of a severe case of cancer during a healing service at the church.'That has been
located about 60-80 feet from the road called Leaf St.,and has been at this location since l 880`s.The
original church was a spiritualist church.The members would sit in a circle and channel,hold healing
services.
'The woman who was cwed of the cancer wanted to do something for the church for what they did. She kept
after the minister to allow her in some way to show her appreciation for what the spirit of the chwch did for
her.
Through her husbands'generosity the property that burned down in 1976,which was a donkey house,prior
to 1960's was transfer into a magnificent piece of property,that consisted of 34 rooms, 17 fire places,(one
located in the main room,was large enough that you could stand in it.)a large solarium,Olympic swimming
pool,office space,a prayer tower, 10,000 square foot green house,4-or 5 caz garage,even had a basement.
A show piece.We would allow all the contractors who worked on the property to bring their prospective
customers to the properiy so they could show their craftsmanship.This was all done by appointment with
the church.
The church members would hold their meetings,bible,healing session,lectures classes in the Parrish
House.The church allowed members or anyone who wanted to grow spiritually to stay on the property for
days if they wish.T'hat was until the Parrish House burned down in 1976.
T`his property has a wonderful story to tell,and one that I hope will be completed before I have to leave this
life. It's been my desire to write a book about"Andromeda Chapel of T'he Open Door".This was the name
of the property at the time. It consisted of about 20 or 30 acres and had 2,000 feet of lake shore.
Regards and with all m Blessings,
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465 Leaf St.
Long Lake,MN 55356
612-618-6685