Is it Permitted to Buy a Church?

Rabbi Yosef Kushner

Question: According to most opinions, it is forbidden to rent a property from a church, if this will fund their activities. Is it also forbidden to buy a church itself? 

Answer: If the church was owned by a private individual or group, who is simply going to keep the money for themselves, there would be no problem in buying it.

If it is owned by the general Catholic church, who will use the proceeds for religious activities in other churches, it would probably be forbidden. This is because the church regularly sells off properties it no longer needs as a source of revenue.