A weathered wooden structure stands before you. This is the Mosque of American Mohammedan Society in New York City. It’s one of the oldest mosques in the United States. Founded in 1907 by Lipka Tatars from Poland this was the first Muslim organization in New York State. The Mosque of American Mohammedan Society is more than just a place of worship. It is a testament to the enduring faith and resilience of a community.
The story of the Mosque of American Mohammedan Society began long ago. Small-scale Muslim immigration to the US started in 1840. Arabs and Turks arrived seeking opportunity. Many returned home. Others stayed. Their numbers were small in the early 20th century. They assimilated. Few lasting Muslim institutions were created then.
The Lipka Tatars however were different. Their presence in Poland dates back to the 14th century. They immigrated to the US. They settled near Greenpoint Brooklyn. In 1931 the American Mohammedan Society purchased 104 Powers Street. This made them the first corporate body to buy land in New York City to practice Islam.
The building itself holds layers of history. It wasn’t always a mosque. It was originally the Powers Street Methodist Episcopal Church. The interior still shows signs of its Christian past. Three steps lead to an altar now used as a mimbar. Congregants pray diagonally. A makeshift partition separates men’s and women’s sections. Unlike traditional mosques it does not face Mecca. The building even served as a Democratic Party clubhouse and a greenhouse.
The Mosque of American Mohammedan Society has witnessed changing times. The Lipka Tatar community in Brooklyn has shrunk. Today the mosque mostly opens for weddings and funerals. A part-time Imam of Bulgarian descent presides. He lives on Long Island.
Yet the Mosque of American Mohammedan Society endures. It stands as a silent witness to generations of faith perseverance and community. It is a reminder of the rich tapestry of religious life in New York City. A place where history and faith intertwine. A quiet symbol of enduring devotion. The Mosque of American Mohammedan Society waits patiently to share its stories.