HAMMOND | First Baptist Church has entered into a formal agreement with the U.S. General Services Administration to buy the old federal courthouse on State Street, church spokesman Dan Wolfe said last week.

While Wolfe said the church made a 10 percent down payment on the historic building on State Street, he declined to reveal the purchase price at this time.

"Once everything is settled, we will do so," Wolfe said.

Meanwhile the $1 million estimate on renovations to the four-story, 60,000-square-foot building still stands, he said.

Once refurbished, the building will serve as the church's administration building. "Right now we're spread out all over the campus," Wolfe said.

In addition, the building will house some adult Bible classes.

Wolfe said the church first held discussions with the federal government about buying the building five years ago because of its strategic location on the church's downtown campus. The campus is in the vicinity of Sibley and State streets and the courthouse is across the street from its auditorium.

"It works out wonderfully for us," he said, adding the purchase leaves the city with one less empty building on its hands.

GSA spokesman David Wilkinson confirmed the potential sale.

"We acknowledge the church has submitted a formal offer," Wilkinson said. "However, the offer can't be accepted until all terms are resolved."

The primary outstanding concerns involve matters of historic preservation, he said.

Wolfe said negotiations have involved such preservation issues as keeping certain parts of the building intact. For example, the GSA has asked the church not to remove the bars from a couple of holding cells. The church has agreed and likely will not be able to use those rooms, he said.

When finalized, the church's offer also must undergo a routine review by the Congressional Oversight Committee.

Wolfe and Wilkinson last week agreed the deal may take several months to complete.