THE ABANDONED Congregational Church on Green Lane in Belper is being bought by businessman Tim Godkin.
Godkin who owns the Belper mill complex is buying the old church from Belper resident Tony Gregson.
Gregson said he was pleased to sell the building to Godkin.
He said: "Tim´s got more resources than I have. I am sure he will look after the building properly.
"He has got the money and the power to do what the people of Belper want."
As the News went to press Mr Godkin was not available to comment on his plans for the future of the old church.
But Tony Gregson said he believed Godkin Holdings would respect the building´s history.
He said: "Tim has assured me he is going to do the building up properly.
"We have had one or two offers from other people before but I have refused to negotiate with them because I didn´t think they were the right people."
A recent architectural survey of the building suggested its best future use would be as flats, offices or a community building.
The architects estimated the cost of renovating the church would be about £446,000.
The Congregational Church has not been used since 1981 because of problems with the building´s structure.
It was saved from demolition in 1999 by a Belper News campaign.
l GODKIN´S: The Congregational Church on Green Lane in Belper.