Former Mike Tyson property set to become religious venue

SOUTHINGTON, Ohio — What was known as the Mike Tyson estate in Trumbull County will now become a place of worship.

Now retired, Mike Tyson was known as the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win several championships. He sold his Trumbull County property to Ronald Hemelgarn in 1996 when it was valued at over $1.6 million.

Land donation

The property located along state Route 534 in Southington was donated by Hemelgarn to the Living Word Sanctuary and the transfer became legal Dec. 30.
The property is valued at $526,200, according to the Trumbull County auditor’s website.

Yvonne Smith and Robert Easton of the Real Living Brokers Realty Group said they helped facilitate the donation with the assistance of PJ Naples of Naples Real Estate.

Plans announced

Pastor Nicholas DeJacimo and Pastor Mark Cohen, Living Word Sanctuary co-founders, want to transform the facility into a place of worship for the community to include year-round religious services, youth ministry and outside activities such as hiking on the 58 acres.

To show their appreciation for the donation of the new campus, the Living Word Sanctuary is planning an appreciation day where members will have a prayer service and then start working on the property. No date has been set for the event.