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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nOld Central Presbyterian Church to become Wrightsel Music Hall<\/p>\n
CAPA has announced that the former Central Presbyterian Church will be named Wrightsel Music Hall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/story-highlights> One of the oldest structures<\/a> in downtown Columbus will be getting a new look over the next few months, and now it has a new name to go with it.<\/p>\n The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA), which is transforming the former church into an arts facility, has christened the venue-to-be Wrightsel Music Hall, thanks to a gift from the Wrightsel Family Foundation.<\/p>\n Chad Whittington, CAPA\u2019s president and CEO, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support that has been shown for the music hall project.<\/p>\n \u201cThe overwhelming support from our community has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life,” Whittington said in a press release.<\/p>\n \u201cWe couldn’t have reached this point without the dedication of everyone involved. This venue will be a testament to our shared commitment to the arts.\u201d<\/p>\n CAPA began work in late 2025 to reimagine Central Presbyterian Church<\/a>, 132 S. 3rd St., as a midsize performance space with a seating capacity of 300-400 people and standing room for 600.<\/p>\n Built in 1895, the church is envisioned as a state-of-the-art, accessible venue able to accommodate live events from concerts to corporate gatherings.<\/p>\n Plans for the space include a bar with a rooftop deck, dressing rooms, a lounge, kitchenette and other additions.<\/p>\n CAPA originally intended to renovate the church when it was purchased for $589,000 in 2013, but the project was sidelined by more pressing work at the Palace Theatre<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the Ohio Theatre<\/a>.<\/p>\n Estimated to cost about $14 million, the project has received gifts from more than 250 families, corporations, foundations, and government donors thus far.<\/p>\n\n