St. Stephens Church in Edinburgh is nearly 200 years old, and until recently was in danger of being sold off and turned into "private flats or a bar- restaurant complex". Enter Leslie Benzies, president of Grand Theft Auto developers Rockstar North.


A resident of the Stockbridge area where the church is located, it's thought Benzies paid a whopping £500,000 (USD$850,000) for the building, beating out bids from both the local community and property developers.

And he's going to do...well, almost nothing. Benzies' lawyer says it was "an entirely philanthropic purchase", which will mean the famous building will remain a community centre (a function it has been performing for a while now).


"We are delighted that we can help bring the church back to its former glory securing its future whilst providing a renovated local and performing arts centre that will benefit the wider community".

Class act.

Rockstar North chief buys St Stephen's Church [Edinburgh News]