BLOOMINGTON - The fate of the now-closed Castle Theater hangs in the air, though a church will continue to offer Sunday service there. Castle owner Ben Slotky confirmed the theater's closing Wednesday, but would not comment further.

His attorney, Darrell Hartweg, is out of town this week.

Slotky refused to say whether the theater, 209 E. Washington St., would be put up for sale, if he planned to reopen it in the future or if he would continue with separate plans for a downtown restaurant called Your Mother's.

Plans for the restaurant had been put on temporary hold for financial reasons.

Meanwhile, ClearView Church pastor Jeff Miller said he was paying rent to Heartland Bank so the church could continue holding service on Sunday mornings. The 3-year-old ClearView Church has been at the Castle since June 2005, he said.

Heartland Bank President Fred Drake said the bank had not foreclosed on the Castle or taken over ownership. He did not know of any deal with ClearView and said he couldn't discuss a private banking matter about the Castle.

Slotky said he would continue his involvement in the development of the Castle's upper floors into condominiums. Slotky co-owns that space with downtown developer Fred Wollrab.

Wollrab, who owns many downtown buildings, predicted this week that someone would purchase and operate the Castle if Slotky sells or the bank forecloses because the theater is in such good shape.

The Castle, which had been closed since 1988, reopened in 2003 after a $1.5 million renovation. The building dates back to 1916.

Wollrab also said he didn't have interest in buying the theater.

Neither does the city, City Manager Tom Hamilton said Tuesday.

Several years ago, the city gave the Castle at least $315,000 in grants to help Slotky with renovations.