Plans are coming together to transform the historic South Presbyterian Church on Syracuse’s South Side into a venue fit for royalty.
The site's current condition is far from glamorous. In fact, construction is estimated at $15 million. The Tiffany lamps and stained glass windows that once adorned the nearly 120-year-old church are long gone, victims of more than a decade of sitting vacant. Even so, Evelyn Ingram and her husband Chino still see the property’s potential. They’re the co-owners of the property and want to turn it into a glamorous event space called The Castle. But Evelyn Ingram says while they’ve received a number of grants, they still need $4 million before they can start construction on the project.
“We don’t want to jump into the project without knowing that we have everything we need to make the project begin and end," Ingram said. "So right now we are continuing to fundraise and make sure we have everything in place. Our intention is to engage architects in the next few months, so again we’re hoping to have some fundraising events that will help assist us in that cost.”
There’s already a clear design vision for the space. As the name The Castle suggests, Evelyn wants guests to feel royal at whatever event they’re attending.
“I see people from all areas, from all regions being able to come to The Castle for a variety of events," Ingram said. "I see The Castle as a place that will gain national notoriety and when celebrities come to the area The Castle will be the place that they want to be. I see The Castle as a place of bringing everyone together.”
The church renovation is also meant to uplift the surrounding community. Both Evelyn and Chino are African American, and Chino grew up down the street from the church. Evelyn says she hopes their work on the church will show residents of the neighborhood they can be successful while also giving back to the community.
“To do a project of this nature, of this magnitude, on that side of town is phenomenal," Ingram said. "And we feel the support of the community, because I think that everyone recognizes that being able to renovate the castle and bring it life will enable other businesses to want to come to that area as well."
The Ingrams are hosting a fundraising event Wednesday at The Post building in Downtown Syracuse.
