The former South Presbyterian Church has been vacant at the corner of South Salina and West Colvin Streets for a number of years, but it will eventually have a new purpose and name.

What You Need To Know

  • The former South Presbyterian Church has been vacant for a number of years

  • Chino and Evelyn Ingram purchased the property from the Greater Syracuse Land Bank

  • They plan to renovate it to be a multi-use facility called "The Castle"

  • The renovations are estimated to cost $7 million

"The name of the building actually is The Castle and we named it The Castle because obviously it has the appearance of a castle,” explained Chief Executive Officer Evelyn Ingram, “But also we recognize who lives in castles - kings and queens - so we really want this venue to have a sophisticated, regal feel."

Chino and Evelyn Ingram purchased the property from the Greater Syracuse Land Bank. Renovations of this landmark on the Southside are expected to cost about $7 million to turn the church into a multi-use event space. It joins other development happening in this neighborhood.                 

"For us, as a couple, being able to make a significant investment in our community of this nature," said Evelyn Ingram, "that will really bring the community together because we're looking for this venue to be something that everyone feels excited about and that everyone feels a part of."

Being a part of this for Chino Ingram is personal. He grew up two houses down from the church.

"We played tag, we played hide and go seek, so we used to run around this building a lot,” Chino Ingram fondly recalled, “So, for us to come back and turn our playground into a fortress, that's a really good thing for us and a good message for a lot of people, too, because again from a young kid to a king of a castle, you can't beat that feeling."