Former Catholic seminary in New York to be converted into Islamic school

Former Catholic seminary building in Bay Shore. Photo: LIBN

A Muslim organization has purchased the former Catholic seminary building in Bay Shore with plans to open an Islamic boarding school. The $5.2 million deal has sparked protests among residents of the New York suburb, Long Island Business News reports.

The Montfort Spiritual Center was purchased by the United American Muslim Association (UAMA). The organization acquired the three-story, roughly 70,000-square-foot building on a 14.6-acre property. The former Catholic complex is expected to provide education and accommodation for 120 middle- and high-school-aged boys.

Residents of the Saxon Avenue neighborhood have strongly opposed the proposed Islamic school. “No Boarding School” signs have appeared on neighboring properties, while a social media group has been created to organize resistance to scuttle the association’s plans.

The Catholic seminary in Bay Shore opened in 1926. A boarding school operated there until 1972, and in recent decades the property served as a retreat house for Catholic priests.

Representatives of the Muslim association, which has provided youth education and served the religious needs of the community since 1980, have so far declined to comment publicly.

As the UOJ reported, Muslims are purchasing a Catholic church in Chicago.

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