MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Church of God in Christ, Inc., is bringing its own commercial revival to a four-block area of downtown Memphis, Tenn., where the denomination's headquarters are located.

The church and its Florida-based partner, Group One Productions, Inc., are planning an $83 million residential and commercial development for the area, according to the Memphis Business Journal.

Such large scale development might seem odd for a church, but the denomination's attorney and minister, Javier M. Bailey, said it's a logical move.

"COGIC has always been a part of downtown development," Bailey said. "When everybody else was running away from downtown, we bought downtown. When everybody left and abandoned the South Main area, the Church of God in Christ hung in there. We feel like we're an integral part of downtown development."

The church began acquiring downtown property in 1971 under the leadership of presiding Bishop J.O. Patterson Sr., according to the newspaper. Patterson wanted to build a conglomerate of developments to be called Saint Center, which never materialized.

In the meantime, an old hotel the denomination owns has accumulated $546,000 worth of neglect penalties. The new development plans are an effort to abate the penalties, Bailey said.

"We should not allow or be a part of blight in the middle of sprawling downtown development," he said.

Group One executive vice president Mark Geier said the project is still in the research and planning stage. He expects construction to begin in 2003 but said it would take years for the entire project to be completed.

Bailey said financing should be complete by the end of the year. Part of the financing will come from bonds, he said.

The black, Pentecostal denomination claims nearly 8 million members across the United States.