What was built as a barn and blacksmith shop and then served for 83 years as Holy Souls Catholic Church and rectory in Carnegie will be transformed again into the Karma Cultural Center.

The building, which has been vacant for five years, will be used as a traditional Indian restaurant, a banquet hall and studio for dance instruction, meditation and yoga. Also planned is a fresh market and a free health care clinic.

Holy Souls, on Mary Street at Mansfield Boulevard, was one of three worship sites for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish until it was damaged by floods from Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. Parishioners have been worshiping at St. Ignatius Church in nearby Scott.

The prospect of renewed activity at the former church, which abuts Carnegie's business district, has local officials excited.

"The Carnegie Community Development Corp. is thrilled with this project," said Leigh White, CCDC executive director. "We believe the addition of a new restaurant, retail venue and personal services in the community will be a wonderful complement to the business district."

She said the CCDC, which has owned the property since 2006, is pleased that the proposal will involve all areas of the former church and rectory. She said the CCDC is confident the proposed project will spur additional development within the borough business district.

Subash Chander of Karma Investments, the potential new property owner, is equally enthusiastic about the plans.

"The whole idea behind this is to have some sort a community place for people to enjoy," he said, adding that Carnegie is an ideal place for such an endeavor.

In fact, location was one of the reasons he selected the site.

"The excellent access of Carnegie from I-79 and the Parkway will serve to bring many new people into the borough," Mr. Chander said. "We anticipate people coming from as far away as West Virginia and Wexford to use the facilities."

Mr. Chander, who lives in Upper St. Clair, is looking forward to connecting with local residents, too.

"We recognize the need for new dining establishments, as well as a venue for fresh food," he said. "We are enthusiastic about attracting operators to fill these needs in the community."

He said he is in discussion with three Indian area restaurateurs about leasing space at the facility, and he's already lined up contractors to repair and upgrade the structures, particularly the heating, ventilation and electrical systems. Closing on the property is expected within two months.

The first restaurant and banquet hall may be open by fall, with the rest of the community center to be completed within the next three years.

Mr. Chander declined to reveal the purchase price, but the CCDC paid $300,000 for it.

Ms. White said the borough, after discussion with the CCDC, would move the parking meters and permit parking from Borough Lot 10, best known as the post office lot, to provide two-hour parking for community center patrons.

Mr. Chander, who said he has been in the United States for 10 years and started his business in 2002 at the Carnegie Office Park, is pleased with the reception he's received from the borough.

"Everybody's been great and welcoming," he said.

Known as the "Italian church," Holy Souls celebrated its first Mass in 1921. It was one of six parishes consolidated into the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in 1992.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.