Southland Christian Church on Monday closed on its purchase of the Lexington Mall property, paying $8,132,000 for nearly 32 acres at the corner of Richmond and New Circle roads.

Southland plans to spend about $30 million, including the property cost, to demolish the one-story portion of the mall, build a 2,800-seat auditorium, renovate the two-story former Dillard's department store and create a green space with a stream leading to the pond out front.

The campus is expected to be open by the end of 2012. Contributions from church's congregations on Harrodsburg Road and in Danville will help pay for the project.