A Catholic foundation in Ohio is finding a new use for an old building. It’s taking over the very first Wendy’s hamburger restaurant:

The original Wendy’s restaurant Downtown soon will reopen its doors, and though the new tenant won’t be slinging burgers, it will have something to offer the community.

Officials with Wendy’s International and the Catholic Foundation announced June 30 the new fate of the building at 257 E. Broad St., the first Wendy’s restaurant.

Opened by founder Dave Thomas on Nov. 15, 1969, the Wendy’s restaurant ended business operation and closed its doors in March 2007. On June 20, David Karam, president of Wendy’s International, handed the keys to the building to Jennifer Damiano, executive director of the Catholic Foundation.

“We are a nonprofit organization founded in 1985,” Damiano said. The group provides permanent support to sustain Catholic causes in Columbus, such as schools, parishes and social services, she said.

During the ceremony, Columbus City Council President Michael Mentel presented to Damiano a certificate in honor and recognition of the Catholic Foundation’s 25 years of service.

The foundation has been operating from a rented building on South High Street for seven years, Damiano said. Now too large for that space, the organization will work with David Meleca of Meleca Architecture to revamp the Wendy’s building as a headquarters for both staff offices and meeting space.

“We will begin our next 25 years as the proud owner of a new home,” she said.

Bishop Frederick Campbell said the restaurant is an old building that will be used for a new purpose with the same commitment to the community.

Karam spoke about the charitable efforts Thomas and Wendy’s International have made.

“While this building is historic, it’s more than just a restaurant,” he said, mentioning theestimated 9 million people who have worn the Wendy’s uniform.

“They, too, are in the service business,” Karam said of the Catholic Foundation.