Gospel singer purchases Muskegon church in need of repairs

MUSKEGON, Mich. – A nationally recognized gospel singer will begin offering church services in downtown Muskegon this year.

Bishop Marvin Sapp, of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, purchased the former St. Jean Baptiste Church from the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, MLive (http://bit.ly/2jfFhat ) reported.

A start date for the services wasn't announced, but Sapp posted on Facebook and Twitter that they will be held on Sundays at 3 p.m. It's unclear whether or not he'll officiate services.

The 160-year-old church in downtown Muskegon has been closed since April 2015 due to the need for extensive repairs. Diocese of Grand Rapids spokeswoman Annalise Laumeyer said no repairs have been completed since the building's closure.

On Monday, the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids announced that it sold the church to Sapp. The purchase was finalized Tuesday, and included the rectory next door to the church. Plans for the rectory were not disclosed.

The news organization's request for comment to Lighthouse Full Life Center wasn't immediately returned.

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Information from: The Muskegon Chronicle, http://www.mlive.com/muskegon