A Muslim organization in Chicago is seeking to purchase a former Catholic church with a name deeply connected to one of Christianity’s most celebrated victories over Islamic expansion, prompting concern and debate among many Catholics.
According to LifeSiteNews, the Islamic Community Center of Illinois (ICCI) is raising funds to purchase the former Our Lady of Victory Church from the Archdiocese of Chicago. The group intends to convert the property into what it describes as “the first Islamic High School on the North Side of Chicago.”
The proposed sale has attracted attention not only because the building was once a Catholic parish, but because of the church’s historic title. Our Lady of Victory is a Marian title closely associated with the 1571 Battle of Lepanto, when a Christian fleet defeated the Ottoman Empire after widespread prayers of the Rosary throughout Europe.
Founded in 1906, Our Lady of Victory served Chicago Catholics for more than a century before being closed in 2021 under Cardinal Blase Cupich’s “Renew My Church” restructuring initiative. According to LifeSiteNews, parishioners unsuccessfully appealed to the Vatican in an effort to keep the church open.
Since its closure, religious furnishings and sacred artwork have been removed from the building. LifeSiteNews reported that a large statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was relocated to St. Pascal Parish.
The Archdiocese of Chicago declined to discuss details regarding any potential transaction. According to LifeSiteNews, archdiocesan officials stated that they do not disclose information about prospective real estate sales before they are finalized.
News of the possible sale sparked strong reactions among some Catholics online. Catholic author and podcaster Dr. Taylor Marshall criticized the trend of former Catholic churches being sold to Islamic organizations, writing on social media, “Why do Catholic bishops keep selling Christ’s churches to Muslims? Is it a humiliation ritual?”
Others have suggested fundraising efforts to return the property to Catholic use, while some expressed sadness that a church dedicated to Our Lady of Victory could eventually serve a purpose unrelated to the Catholic faith.
The situation also highlights a broader pattern seen in several dioceses across the United States. According to LifeSiteNews, a number of former Catholic churches have been sold to Muslim organizations in recent years, including St. Ann’s Church and Shrine in Buffalo, New York, and St. Gerard Roman Catholic Church, which was converted into a mosque after its sale in 2017.
The potential transformation of Our Lady of Victory into an Islamic school comes amid ongoing discussions about parish consolidations, church closures, and the future stewardship of sacred properties. For many Catholics, the proposed sale raises questions not only about preserving historic church buildings, but also about maintaining the spiritual and historical legacy associated with places dedicated to the worship of Jesus Christ.
As fundraising efforts continue and no final sale has been announced, Catholics in Chicago and beyond will be watching closely to see what becomes of a church whose name recalls one of the most significant chapters in Christian history.
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