County Executive Bello and Mayor Evans celebrate new downtown chapter for Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in historic Sibley Triangle Building

Rochester, New York – A storied Rochester institution is stepping into a new chapter in the heart of downtown. Local leaders gathered this week to officially cut the ribbon on the new home of the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, now located on the ground floor of the historic Sibley Triangle Building at East Main Street.

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans, and other local dignitaries marked the moment with a celebration that honored both the past and the future. The move places the school—one of the nation’s oldest theological institutions—at a vibrant and visible location that’s rapidly becoming a symbol of downtown revitalization.

“I’m honored to help welcome the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School to it’s new home in the heart of downtown Rochester,” said County Executive Bello. “This move signifies an exciting new chapter, and we recognize the enduring impact the school has had and will continue to have on our local community and in shaping thoughtful leaders around the world. Their arrival will be a boon to the Liberty Pole neighborhood, which has undergone a radical reimagining in the last several years.”

The relocation is more than a simple address change—it’s a strategic investment in the city’s urban core. With over 170 years of history behind it, the school’s move from its longtime home on South Goodman Street to downtown Rochester represents a renewed mission to engage with community, culture, and commerce at a central city crossroads.

“I am thrilled to welcome the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School to the historic Sibley Triangle Building in Downtown Rochester, where this nationally recognized and much-revered institution of higher education and spiritual growth will get the visibility it deserves,” said Mayor Evans. “I want to thank developer Angelo Ingrassia for his work to reclaim the grandeur of this magnificent landmark at one of our city’s most recognizable intersections.”

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The Sibley Triangle Building, a striking flat-iron shaped structure, was built in 1897 and designed by J. Foster Warner, the famed architect behind several of Rochester’s most iconic buildings. Commissioned by businessman Hiram W. Sibley, the five-story building has been a fixture of downtown’s architectural history for more than a century. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Today, the building has been given new life through a $9.2 million renovation project led by developer Angelo Ingrassia. The lower level now houses the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, while the upper floors have been transformed into housing aimed at students from nearby institutions like the Eastman School of Music. These apartments include dedicated music practice spaces—an amenity that merges the building’s classic charm with modern utility.

“This project is an example of the State, County, and City Government working together with the development community to bring a much needed project to fruition,” said Ingrassia. “When we all work together, good things happen.”

Ingrassia’s work was supported by public and private partnerships. The project received $3 million through the Restore New York program administered by Empire State Development, $1.6 million in tax incentives through COMIDA, and a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement.

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More than just a physical move, the relocation of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School reflects the institution’s evolving role in the broader community. Dr. Angel D. Sims, president of the school, sees the new home as a statement of intention.

“A seminary of and for the community, Colgate Rochester Crozer is delighted to be a part of the city’s downtown revitalization initiative,” said Sims. “Located at the intersection of East Avenue and Main, our relocation symbolizes the school’s ongoing commitment to form students who are learned, pastoral, and prophetic. For such a time as now, it is our prayer that peace, service, and justice will serve as guides to inform collective and collaborative engagement at the intersections of commerce, education, and public service.”

The school’s history dates back to 1850, and its mission has long centered on educating leaders grounded in both faith and public service. Alumni include notable figures such as the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who studied at Crozer Theological Seminary—one of the institutions that later merged into the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.

Now located at a bustling intersection in a building that itself speaks to Rochester’s enduring history, the school is positioned to reach more people, partner with more organizations, and contribute directly to the city’s economic and social renewal.

The project was not the work of one institution alone. State and local governments, developers, educators, and community leaders each played a role in making the transformation possible.

“Thanks to Governor Hochul’s Restore New York initiative, we are partnering with communities statewide on projects that transform blighted spaces and create increased access to housing and opportunity,” said Hope Knight, President, CEO, and Commissioner of Empire State Development. “Today, we’re celebrating the new home of the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in the city’s historic Triangle Building—a shining example of how this program is promoting sustainable economic growth both here in Rochester and throughout New York.”

With the ribbon officially cut, a new era begins—not just for the school, but for the surrounding community. From its roots in religious education to its role in shaping future civic leaders, the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School is now more embedded than ever in the city it calls home.

And from the sidewalk outside the Sibley Triangle Building, one can see both the legacy of the past and the promise of what lies ahead.