Plush Horse Lounge, a legendary Huntsville venue that hosted music stars such as Tina Turner, Kenny Rogers, The Drifters and Ray Charles, has been purchased by a church that wants to use it for worship services.

Restoration Church and Dewey Brazelton Properties closed a deal on the controversial and long vacant Golf Road property on Friday. No sales price was announced.

"The Restoration Church purchase of this property will create a wonderful asset for the Golf Road neighborhood. It will support ongoing efforts to revitalize the neighborhood and increase public safety," City Council President Jennie Robinson said. "We're delighted to welcome Restoration Church to south Huntsville."

Restoration Church South Huntsville was planted by Restoration Church Madison.

"We're extremely excited for this opportunity God has provided for us to purchase an iconic landmark in the Huntsville community. Our intentions are to see the presence of God manifested in a tangible way there," said Lead Pastor Huey Hudson "He has amazing plans for south Huntsville and we're excited to be a part of what He's going to do."

Restoration's Madison campus has a diverse congregation, about 60 percent black, 30 percent white and 10 percent other, including people from 34 different countries.

Restoration Church South Huntsville Pastor Angelia Waite, assisted by Pastor Barron Hill, said she will emphasize racial reconciliation, diversity and unity as part of its mission. "It is true that His disciples should be known by the way that they love," Waite said. "Well, we are about to leave a mark in our community demonstrating that."

Longtime Plush Horse owner Dewey Brazelton, who in 2014 sued Huntsville for denying a liquor license for the lounge, said he's excited about the restoration of the facility and area that Restoration promises to bring.

"This is a Huntsville landmark and it warms my heart that it will bring life to a place that has meant so much in my life. This is the time and Pastor Angelia Waite is the one."

The first service at the new location is set for September 10, 2017 at 10:30 a.m.

Brazelton bought the Golf Road property in July 1970 and turned it into Huntsville's first dinner theater. But it wasn't until he renamed it the Plush Horse around 1972 that the club hit its stride.

After the original building was destroyed by fire, the nightclub re-opened in 1975 with more elbow room, other-worldly architecture and a focus on live music.

Other music stars who played at Plush Horse Lounge included Little Richard, B.J. Thomas, James Brown and Martha and the Vandellas.