New York’s historic St. Anne Church in Buffalo, built by German immigrants in 1886, is set to begin a new chapter as a mosque—and that has sparked a lot of controversy within the community. The property was recently purchased by Buffalo Crescent Holdings, a group affiliated with the Downtown Islamic Center, for $250,000.
The first light of controversy began with the tweet of Father Ronald Vierling, a well-known Catholic priest, who brought attention to the sale of the church through a social media post on X, which have since garnered nearly 2 million views.
“St. Anne’s Church, Buffalo, NY. Permanently closed. Sold to the Islamic community for $250,000 who are converting the historic church into a mosque,” read Vierling’s post. Following this, some reactions were focused on the conversion of a Catholic church into a mosque, while others questioned the low sale price, particularly in light of current real estate market conditions.
St. Anne Church has been largely out of use since 2012, following years of structural deterioration that rendered it unsafe for congregants. Despite discussions of demolishing the church due to an estimated $12 million in repair costs, the decision was made to sell the property instead. The Downtown Islamic Center, committed to preserving the historic site, plans to invest millions in renovations to restore the church complex.
“We’re looking to put several million dollars into this in the next year, in the church alone,” said Talha Bakth, president of the Downtown Islamic Center, in a statement to the Buffalo News. The renovation will not only breathe new life into the church but also create a much-needed space for the Muslim community in Buffalo to gather for prayers.
However, the church’s sale has received vast criticism from people—one user expressed dismay at the sale, said, “I know a dozen Catholics who would have pulled together to buy the building instead of letting it get sold off…,” reflecting a sentiment shared by some members of the Catholic community. Another user criticized the transaction, saying, “Selling off Catholic Churches to Islam to convert it into a Mosque borders Blasphemy and Stupidity!”
This is not the first time that a church has been converted into a mosque that drew widespread criticism within the community. In April 2023, an abandoned church in Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge was transformed into a Muslim community center by the Bay Ridge Community Development Center (BRCDC). The deteriorating structure of the church was purchased for $2.6 million raised by local Muslims and now it serves as a vibrant community hub offering prayer spaces, Islamic education, and social services, including weekly food pantries.
Other notable examples are Masjid ‘Eesa ibn Maryam Mosque in Queens which was formerly a church and now has become a prominent Muslim community center; Islamic Center of Buffalo, which was a former Catholic church, now serves as a mosque for the local Muslim community and the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro in Tennessee, which was built on the site of a former church, and has faced significant controversy and legal challenges as it faced strong opposition from people. The controversy was centered around zoning law disputes, community concerns over traffic, noise, and security, and accusations of Islamophobia. The situation led to numerous legal battles and protests.
Many churches in the US, particularly in cities with shrinking populations, have been converted into mosques due to the challenges of preserving historic religious buildings. A study in the Journal of Urbanism highlights that such “faith-to-faith” conversions can help conserve urban heritage, especially in areas welcoming new immigrants and refugees. While some churches are sold to developers for alternative uses, others are purchased by religious groups, like Muslims, who transform them into worship spaces.
Despite all the criticism and reactions, the Downtown Islamic Center remains focused on its mission to provide a spiritual home for Buffalo’s growing Muslim population. The group’s purchase of the church is part of a broader plan that includes acquiring a former rectory on the same property, which had been converted into apartments. The center hopes to have the space ready for worship within the next one to two years.
This transformation of St. Anne Church represents more than just a change of ownership; it underscores the evolving religious landscape in Buffalo. While some mourn the loss of the church as a Catholic landmark, others see the conversion as a sign of the city’s diversity and a testament to the resilience of historic buildings being repurposed for new communities.
Also, the conversion of churches into mosques in New York City has positively impacted the Muslim community by providing much-needed prayer space, fostering community building, and facilitating integration into established neighbourhoods. These conversions are also cost-effective compared to building new mosques. However, challenges include adapting the space for Islamic worship, gaining community acceptance, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring long-term sustainability. Despite these challenges, the overall impact has been beneficial, addressing the growing needs of the Muslim population while promoting community cohesion.
About Author
Leave a Reply