The building that for six decades housed Wesley United Church on Graham Avenue was to be sold, a senior church official told the Mainstreeter in January.
Lillian Roberts, minister of the United Church’s Ottawa presbytery confirmed the sale to the Ottawa Chinese Bible Church was expected to close Jan. 31.
The transaction brought to a close a process that had begun late in 2012, when congregants held the last service in Wesley United before amalgamating with Emmanuel United Church on Smyth Road.
The congregations have worshipped together since last March.
Wesley United Church occupied the spot at 31 Graham Ave. since 1908.
Originally the church fronted on Hawthorne Avenue. In 1918, its building was configured to front on Graham, one block south.
The building put up for sale recently had been the home of Wesley United since 1953.
A church official said running the building had become increasingly difficult. With a congregation that had dwindled to about 30 families, there had not been enough money coming in to pay bills, he said.
The absence of handicap features had also made renting the facility a challenge.
Many churches house services such as daycares to help defray costs. Wesley had not been able to take such measures, the official said.
