Mars Hill Church Pastor Mark Driscoll’s racy sermons and avid use of social networking have made the church popular among young people.

Mars Hill Church has purchased the University Baptist Church building in Seattle for $2.5 million.

With an eye toward capturing an even larger share of the University of Washington’s student body, the ever-growing Mars Hill Church has completed the purchase of a venerable church building just blocks from campus.

The local megachurch bought the University Baptist Church building for about $2.5 million, with plans to make it its University District Campus.

The nearly 31,000-square-foot building, at 4554 12th Ave. N.E., is Mars Hill’s latest acquisition in a growing string of campuses.

The building will serve mainly students at the UW, said Mars Hill’s University District Pastor Matt Jensen. About a year ago, the church started an outreach effort at the UW, holding Sunday services that have drawn hundreds at the university’s Kane Hall.

“We’re amazed that we have this opportunity to purchase this building within walking distance to the university,” Jensen said. “I’m most excited that we have a permanent outpost to share the message of Jesus with the neighborhood and with students who come from around the world…”

The building, built in 1925 with an addition in 1938, has a sanctuary that seats 400.