SOUTHINGTON, Ohio -- Decaying, deserted and neglected. That was the condition the former estate of boxer Mike Tyson was in when a Trumboll County church bought the property last year.
Photographs taken by local photographer Johnny Joo last winter, documented the property's state of disrepair.
But much has changed at the Southington property since we last saw the property.
Signs of new life and new purpose are starting to emerge. And WKYC was invited inside to document the change taking place.
"Everyone has a right to their own opinion. And obviously there are a lot of rumors about Mike Tyson and the building, and the whole property," said Nick Dejacimo, co-pastor at the Living Word Sanctuary.
Since Joo's photographs went viral, Dejacimo has been flooded with inquiries from around the world about the one-time estate of Iron Mike.
Dejacimo understands the curiosity surrounding the larger than life man who once lived at the property.
But a larger "purpose-driven" live is what the pastor sees before him.
"People are searching for answer and the answer is Jesus Christ. And if this in anyway can give people an opportunity to come to church, meet Jesus Christ and learn Godly principles, we felt it was worthwhile to do this," Dejacimo said.
Transforming the former House of Tyson into the future home of the Living Word Sanctuary is slow, but gratifying work.
The changes are most noticeable on the outside. To this point, much of the work has been done by the congregation.
"We have totally re-landscaped the place. We've opened up those paths, cleaned up the basketball courts, redone all the roofs on all the buildings and shored them up. Painted the place. We have temporary electric and we are moving on," Dejacimo said, as he showed off all the work done to the grounds of the 58-acre property.
The church has already used the property for outdoor functions, including youth activities.
Getting electricity to the building has been one of the biggest challenges but work is progressing. There is the original portion of the home, which includes four bedrooms, kitchen, large eating area and a two-story living area.
The bedrooms will be transformed into classrooms for the youth ministry. The kitchen and eating area have been stripped to be remodeled.
Pastor Dejacimo sees more possibilities for this space, including movie nights for youth groups and dining for bridal parties or baptismal celebrations.
The garage where Tyson kept his luxury cars is already fitted with plumbing and will soon be transformed into a nursery, where the tiniest members can stay during services.
WATCH BELOW | Take a walk-through tour of the home (MOBILE USERS: click here).
Upstairs, a tour of the Tyson's former bedroom and bath show that the marble and opulent gold fixtures remain and even a bit of the graffiti.
In the ten years that the home stood abandoned, vandals got in, but did little damage.
"They really didn't destroy the walls, they might have stolen his zebra carpeting or those types of things. But the actual structure of the building has been literally untouched," Dejacimo said.
The home not only withstood vandals, but also ten years of sweltering heat, and freezing temperatures.
A tour of the addition built by Tyson is the showpiece of the property. Cathedral ceilings, skylights and craftsmen woodwork immediately catch the eye.
Dijacimo says he and his fellow pastor Mark Cohen were amazed at the condition.
"The wood was so amazing because there has been no heating or cooling in this place for 10 years. And it's so immaculate," he said, as he guided us through the room built below Tyson's bedroom.
Too small for services, Dejacimo sees it as smaller retreat for private conversation, or a grand entrance for a wedding party incorporating the spiral staircase into the room.
The grandest transformation will take place in the large room that once was Tyson's indoor pool and Jacuzzi.
The green stagnant water captured in Joo's photos is long gone.
The room has been cleaned and demolition has begun. It's easy to see why this is the perfect room for services.
"You can see the beauty of this place is phenomenal. And you would think this place was always intended to be a church and a sanctuary," Dejacimo said, as he stood at what will be the pulpit when work is completed.
No timeline has been given for completion, however the Living Word Sanctuary plans on holding Christmas services on the property.
As for Tyson, Pastor Nick says he has been told the retired boxer is aware of plans for his former Ohio home and is pleased.
"He really thought it was a good thing, so we open our church and have our opening we are going to extend that we want him to come as a guest and honor him. It's up to him if he wants to come," Dejacimo said.
And if curiosity brings visitors to the church, the pastor is fine with that too.
"Our church grows by just word of mouth and people telling them the good things that happened to them at church," Dejacimo said.
