Constructed in 1886 for the German-immigrant Catholic community in Buffalo, St. Ann's Church and Shrine was shut down for worship in 2012 due to decades of dwindling attendance and maintenance problems, including major structural issues with its towers. In 2007, the parish was legally deconsecrated and amalgamated by the Diocese of Buffalo, and by 2013, all operations had stopped. For just $250,000, the diocese sold St. Ann's complex—which included a nearby school, convent, and rectory—to Buffalo Crescent Holdings, a nonprofit connected to the Downtown Islamic Center, in november 2022. The money raised was intended to help with the ongoing maintenance and utilities expenses of other closed parish properties.
According to the buyer's plan, the property will be transformed into a mosque and Islamic community center, and renovations would cost several million dollars. As part of the larger reconstruction plans, Talha Bakth, president of the Downtown Islamic Center, has laid forth goals that might include the establishment of an Islamic school, a university, a shopping center, and possibly a burial home. However, as of mid-2025, there hasn't been much progress reported; just basic maintenance and repairs (such as fixing doors and cutting the grass) have been made, and estimations indicate it might take a year or two before the area is ready for worship.
Residents of Buffalo have responded with a mixture of cautious optimism, nostalgia, and disappointment. While some former parishioners regret the loss of a historic landmark, others see the sale as unavoidable given the Diocese's larger financial and demographic challenges. According to a Reddit commenter, "This church was sold two years ago." For ten years, the church has been closed. Buildings are unable to pay for maintenance and repairs when Catholics stop visiting.
According to the buyer's plan, the property will be transformed into a mosque and Islamic community center, and renovations would cost several million dollars. As part of the larger reconstruction plans, Talha Bakth, president of the Downtown Islamic Center, has laid forth goals that might include the establishment of an Islamic school, a university, a shopping center, and possibly a burial home. However, as of mid-2025, there hasn't been much progress reported; just basic maintenance and repairs (such as fixing doors and cutting the grass) have been made, and estimations indicate it might take a year or two before the area is ready for worship.
Residents of Buffalo have responded with a mixture of cautious optimism, nostalgia, and disappointment. While some former parishioners regret the loss of a historic landmark, others see the sale as unavoidable given the Diocese's larger financial and demographic challenges. According to a Reddit commenter, "This church was sold two years ago." For ten years, the church has been closed. Buildings are unable to pay for maintenance and repairs when Catholics stop visiting.
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