DETROIT, MI - A longtime Metro Detroit events venue has plans to shut down and be renovated to serve its original purpose as a place of worship.

Pontiac's Clutch Cargo's, at 65 E. Huron St., will undergo a makeover thanks to a $2 million fundraising campaign to restore the building - once known as First Congregational Church - by the end of next year.

News of the change surfaced Thursday in a press release from Grace Centers of Hope, a religious organization. A message left with the group wasn't immediately returned.

A statement from Grace Gospel Fellowship senior pastor Kent W. Clark, who credits a family in Oakland Township for kicking off the fundraising campaign:

“The Luther family is like family to me personally,” Clark said. “The whole family has given of themselves to the work of Grace Centers of Hope for more than 13 years. Though this gift is enormous, it is no surprise that they would give in this manner.

"The Luthers have a heart for people, and believe this gift is important in transforming lives and reintegrating individuals and families back into society as productive and responsible citizens.”

An excerpt from the press release:

"Grace Centers of Hope and Grace Gospel Fellowship church have launched a $2 million fundraising campaign to help renovate and restore the building, while also supporting the mission of Grace Centers of Hope.

The 30,000 sq. ft. building sits directly across from Grace Centers of Hope, a full recovery and rehabilitation campus for men, women and children who are addicted or homeless.

Once renovated, the building will become the new home of Grace Gospel Fellowship church, provide administrative office space for Grace Centers of Hope staff, and serve as the foundation for the organizations’ ministries."

The building currently includes a main sanctuary with a balcony that will seat up to 650 people, an overflow space for an additional 100 people, a finished daylight basement, and a parking lot that holds 60 car spaces.

Work to renovate the building will begin in January 2014 and will feature: repairs to broken stained glass windows, a leaking roof, a damaged bell tower and front walk and stairs; restored interior wood surfaces and sanctuary lighting; new paint for the building’s interior; new carpeting, chairs, an exterior message board and church signs; and a brand new, larger parking lot and backlit crosses for the tower.

In 1997, the First Congregational Church sold the building to investors who renovated the structure into The Sanctum nightclub.

It struggled for two years and eventually sold in 1999 and later reopened as Clutch Cargo. Clutch Cargo was then sold on land contract in 2001, however, the transaction was never completed and was returned to the original Clutch Cargo owners in 2005.

Attempts Thursday night to reach anyone associated with Clutch Cargo's were unsuccessful. The number posted on the website didn't appear to have voice mail, and the website doesn't appear to list any upcoming events.

A brief history of the church from the press release:

On Sept. 17, 1911, the First Congregational Church of Pontiac dedicated the property as a place of worship for local residents.

By 1927, the exterior walls and roof were completed, however, a heavy debt remained unpaid and the depression arrived before five-year pledges could be paid. For the next twenty-five years, the “new” church remained boarded up and unfinished.

In 1952, the church began work to complete the construction and was eventually dedicated on Oct. 7, 1962.