The Castle on Charles is born again

The Castle on Charles has a few summer events but will see its offerings definitely ramp up this fall. (Lebanon Voice/Harrison Thorp photos)

ROCHESTER - Just steps from Rochester's busy South Main Street sits a long-neglected architectural gem, a former art gallery and Episcopal church that looks like a fortressed castle from medieval times.

But The Castle on Charles will soon be much more than a dusty architectural relic.

It will be alive with special theatrical, music and dance events where visitors can enjoy a cocktail, brew or pub food in a uniquely themed setting.

"Yeah, this is my baby," said Herman Ejarque recently as he sat at a table in the totally renovated Castle on Charles. "I've been working on it for five years."

The newly installed bar evokes old-world charm and hankerings for a pint of a good stout grog.

Ejarque said when he first bought it several years ago it was basically an abandoned building on Charles Street. He said there was extensive damage from a frog pond on the property that had leaked and ruined the floor. He also added a second-story room where actors in planned dinner theater shows can change and prepare for their performances.

The building originally housed an Episcopal church which was built more than 100 years ago and served the community for several decades. It was then bought by a Jewish rabbi who had escaped first from Hitler's Nazi Germany to Cuba and then from Cuba when Castro took over in the early 1960s.

He wound up in New Hampshire and turned the church into an art museum until his death in 1980 when the building fell into disuse and neglect before Ejarque purchased it seven years ago.

Now, with its central location just behind the Rochester Public Library, Ejarque is turning it into a special music and dance events venue as well as a unique function hall for private parties.

A couple of lounge tables in front of The Castle on Charles fireplace and stage area.

With its old world charm and medieval look, The Castle on Charles will turn some heads both with its edifice and inside décor.

Where the church's altar was is now a huge stone fireplace that looks out on a raised floor that will be the stage for plays.

Ejarque, who also co-owns The Governor's Inn and Garage Pub with his brother, Anthony, says he can use either theater or table seating depending on the event. There's also a dance floor for dance parties like one scheduled for July 24. "Soul" will feature a deejay playing '70s pop, retro, soul and groove with a full bar and pub food beginning at 6 p.m.

"This is not a nightclub," Ejarque insists. "It won't have regular hours, just special events. But I plan a lot of musical events this fall."

Other events this fall include an Octoberfest, a Hunt Dinner with fresh local game and a Medieval Dinner show ala Medieval Manor.

He also plans dance classes at The Castle including salsa, two-step and maybe even tango as well as wine-tastings.

The key, he said, is to check the website at www.castlenh.com. Click here for its Facebook page.