Saint John council has taken steps toward approving a B.C. developer's plan to turn a former church that became home to arts and community groups into a residential and commercial building.

The south end building in the Trinity Royal Heritage Conservation Area includes the former Germain Street United-Baptist church, built 200 years ago, at Germain and Queen streets.

Council gave first and second reading Monday night to the proposed rezoning of the property from neighbourhood community facility t…