It's the only building in Syracuse to ever appear on Ripley's Believe it or Not: a building that welcomed residents for a truly unique combination of purposes. Matt Jarchow gives us a look at the Mizpah Tower's historic past and its emerging future.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- On the corner of Jefferson and Montgomery streets stands one of Syracuse's most historic buildings.

Constructed in 1911 as the first baptist church, its architecture still impresses today. Inside, the history is harder to see, but every bit equal.

"There is a very large sanctuary space with a large surrounding balcony, and really high-style Gothic with an incredibly ornate ceiling," said Beth Crawford from Crawford and Stearns Architects and Preservation Planners.

Features for the building's original purpose were designed for a church. But its upper floors served as a hotel. Years later, the church took over management and it became rooms for single women.

"Some of the local histories say that it's the only one in the nation and was once listed in Ripley's Believe it or Not for its unique use as both a hotel and a church," said Crawford.

The name Mizpah came in 1969, from a biblical story symbolizing the faithfulness of daughters. Its name has remained years after its use has faded.

"The first baptist church left the building in 1988, and ever since, the building has been somewhat unused," said Crawford.

After being vacant for years, a new developer and his family have bought the building. They hope to finally restore the Mizpah Tower to a prominent role in downtown Syracuse.

"I think it's an amazing building. Just from the outside, it looks just like the Cathedral," said Jonathan Cerio, whose family owns Mizpah.

But it's the inside that could get a major makeover.

"We don't have any really set plans yet, but we're thinking about putting in maybe a coffee shop, something along the lines of that on the first floor, hopefully keep kind of a theater in their with the stage," said Cerio.

It will let a new generation enjoy one of the cities most historic buildings.