Christian Grammy winner Amy Grant is campaigning to buy the church her grandfather founded – after alleging that its current owners are misusing the building.

In 1920, the ‘Baby, Baby’ singer’s grandfather, Andrew Mizell 'A.M.' Burton, founded the Central Church of Christ

The building has since been sold to businessman Shawn Mathis, after a dwindling congregation left it in financial peril.

The conditions of sale stipulated that it must only be used as a church, with worship services. Mathis began attending the church in 2017, and became an elder, before buying the building and merging the church into a non-profit rgansiation.

He now claims to be using the building as the base for the non-profit,  with online ministries.

Amy Grant began an investigation into his use of the building in 2019, and insists that it is being misused, as its last worship service was held in 2018.  

The church reported to the state attorney’s office that as of 2021, it was paying Mathis a base salary of $138,250  plus a $2,000-a-month housing allowance, as its administrator.

The building is currently worth $6.7 million, with its parking lots generating monthly revenue.

It is classed as a commercial property, and reportedly owes $500,000 in unpaid taxes despite being shuttered.

After the 2019 investigation, the Nashville Church of Christ sued Grant and her relatives, seeking to invalidate the restrictions on the original church deed. Their submission was rejected by the court.

The Grant family are hinging their upcvoming case on a 1925 deed restriction.

“This is all about the legacy of A.M. Burton,” Grant told the WSJ. “To me, the family has to get involved because otherwise, that property is at a standstill. And that doesn't make any sense.”

State court hearings will begin in June.