#USA #IL – The Islamic Community Center of Illinois seeks to acquire the former Our Lady of Victory Church from the Archbishop of Chicago, converting the landmark into the North Side’s first Islamic high school.
The transaction, which has gained widespread attention after a Catholic social media account publicized the fundraising effort on June 28, highlighted ongoing debates over the sale of closed Catholic properties. The Archdiocese sold the building as part of its “Renew my Church” consolidation plan, which led to the parish’s closure in 2021 after 115 years of service.
Our Lady of Victory Church, founded in 1906, took its name from the 1571 Battle of Lepanto, where a Catholic naval coalition defeated the Ottoman Empire. Sacred items, including a large statue of the Blessed Mother, were removed prior to the sale.
Catholic commentators criticized the decision. Critics have questioned why bishops sold former churches to Muslim organizations, framing it as a loss of Christian heritage. Online reactions included calls for wealthy Catholics to intervene.
The Islamic Community Center of Illinois, already operating in a former church, had actively raised funds for the purchase in the weeks leading up to the deal. Similar conversions have occurred in other U.S. dioceses, such as Buffalo, where closed Catholic churches have become mosques.
The Archdiocese did not publicly disclose transaction details, consistent with its policy on real estate sales. Catholic groups expressed concern over the pattern, while supporters viewed the reuse as a practical solution for underused buildings.
Image: Our Lady of Victory Church in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
