A New York Church to Be Converted Into Mosque

A Catholic church in Buffalo, New York, is being converted into a mosque after a Muslim group purchased the property.

The St. Ann Church complex was sold for $250,000 after having been largely out of use since 2012 due to structural damage issues posing a safety threat, according to the Buffalo News. The property was sold to Buffalo Crescent Holdings, which is affiliated with the Downtown Islamic Center, according to the outlet.

A well-known Catholic priest, Father Ronald Vierling, drew attention to the sale. "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,."

Some critics took issue with the fact that it was being converted into a mosque, while others were surprised at the low sale price.

"Terrible. I know a dozen Catholics who would have pulled together to buy the building instead of letting it get sold off..." one user wrote…

"Selling off Catholic Churches to Islam to convert it into a Mosque borders Blasphemy and Stupidity!" another account wrote.

"Muslims get a church for $250k but I can't buy a house in a decent neighborhood for less than $500k," another X user wrote.

The Downtown Islamic Center said it plans to spend millions of dollars to renovate the church complex.

"We're looking to put several million dollars into this in the next year, in the church alone," Talha Bakth, the president of the Downtown Islamic Center, told the Buffalo News.

Buffalo Crescent Holdings is also purchasing a former rectory at the complex that had been converted to apartments in a separate transaction, the Buffalo News reported, citing a diocese statement.

The space will be able to be used for worship within a year or two, Bakth said.

https://www.newsweek.com/new-york-church-mosque-buffalo-1937906