A Christian evangelist says he bought celebrity Tyler Perry’s mansion because God told him to.

Former businessman and head of David Turner International Ministries, David Turner, reportedly paid $US17.5 million ($23 million) for the Atlanta mansion in May, according to Atlanta real estate news website buckhead.com.

“God literally told me to come here,” Turner told the website.

“I went online and I saw this house and that’s when I felt like God told me, ‘This is your house’.”

Perry, a film maker, author and playwright, can now add real estate record breaker to his extensive resume as the sale was the most expensive in the city’s history.

That’s despite knocking $US7.5 million from the initial asking price of $US25 million.

The French provincial style property sits on seven hectares above the Chattahoochee river and is inspired by Versailles’ Palace de Versailles.

Some of the extravagant amenities adding to the estate’s hefty price tag include the underground ballroom with catering kitchen, formal and informal gardens, and fully lit tennis court.

It also boasts a spa, home theatre, gym, library, caretakers’ cottage and infinity swimming pool.

Turner reportedly bought the seven-bedroom, 11-bathroom home fully furnished and has already moved in with his wife and two children.

The home’s front door opens to an impressive entry lobby with a grand wrought-iron staircase and almost comically large chandelier.

Adjacent is the dining room with double-height ceilings, a hand-painted mural with an enchanted forest theme and another flashy chandelier.

The family room is as large as some houses and chef-grade kitchen features two island kitchen benches and elaborate oak and glass cabinetry.

As well as expansive views of the river, the estate enjoys private access and has ‘presidential level’ security systems.

Perry owns multiple other estates in Atlanta amounting to 1000 acres, and has bought and sold several homes in New York and California.

David Turner made millions in the snack industry as the head of companies SunTree Snack Foods and Southwest Commodities, which he has since sold to run the David Turner International Ministries full time and host events around the world.