Fresh Life Church on Tuesday closed a deal with the Gentry Family Limited Liability Partnership to acquire the Montana Building in downtown Kalispell, according to building Manager Ron Profitt.

The historic building is located on the corner of First Avenue East and Second Street.

Tenants began raising questions last month after receiving email notification that Fresh Life had asked the Gentry family about buying the building. The biggest concern for tenants who spoke with the Daily Inter Lake is whether they would be allowed to stay in the building if it was sold.

Tenants received word on Tuesday that Fresh Life had secured the property. Profitt said according to Fresh Life, renters won’t have to look for new spaces during the duration of their leases.

“Fresh Life has indicated that they don’t plan on occupying any other spaces for now,” Profitt said. “They’re obligated to stay with the existing leases until they expire.”

Fresh Life already owns two downtown buildings: the Liberty Building north of the Montana Building as well as The Strand Building directly east of City Hall.

Before the acquisition, Fresh Life leased a day-care center and storage space in the Montana Building.

“They’ll renovate those spaces and use them for their own use,” Profitt said. “They haven’t given us any plans for the future.”

Fresh Life Church declined to comment on the acquisition or plans for the Montana Building.

“They’ll continue with the leases they have now.” Profitt said. “Who knows what the future holds?”

The Montana Building was erected in 1911 and was owned by Glacier Bank before J. Gentry purchased the building in 2011. The next year, Gentry put the building under ownership of Gentry Family LLP based in Rifle, Colorado.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.