OAKLAND (AP) — The Oakland Town Council has abandoned plans to buy and renovate a shuttered church because it would be too expensive to renovate.

The town had planned to buy the former St. Theresa church building and rectory and convert them into municipal offices and meeting space.

But Town Manager Gary Bowman told the Morning Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1GWpa6a ) that asbestos and lead removal, roof replacement and the near-certainty of other unexpected expenses scuttled the proposed project. The estimated costs of repairs exceeded $1 million.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland had placed the church for sale. It held its last religious services in 2012.

Bowman says the diocese has agreed to return the $5,000 deposit the town put down.