The Islamic Center of Essex County has acquired the First Lutheran Church of Montclair in a $2 million sale that drew bidders from across North Jersey. (MATT KADOSH/MONTCLAIR LOCAL)

After hosting worship in an office building just outside the Wayne Willowbrook Mall for seven years, the Islamic Center of Essex County will have a masjid in Essex County.

The Islamic Center closed Friday on the $2 million sale of the approximately 7,000-square-foot building that until last month housed the First Lutheran Church of Montclair, according to Hamdy Emara, a realtor associate with Jordan Baris Realty in West Orange, representing the Islamic Center. The church, which boasts 130 years in the town across two locations, had closed amid dwindling membership.

The Islamic Center purchased the property for about 25% above the $1.599 million asking price, said Emara, who is a member of the masjid. Earlier this year, the Islamic Center launched a fundraiser after announcing that it was under contract to buy the property.

‘Absolutely Gorgeous’

Eight religious institutions from across North Jersey bid on the 1.34-acre property with 37 parking spaces at 153 Park St., said Ceil Adkins, of Century 21 Venture Real Estate in Montclair, who represented First Lutheran Church. Congregations of various faiths reached out, Adkins said.

“The beauty of that building is not only the interior — it is absolutely gorgeous — but the parking. The 37 spots in the back are great,” Adkins said during an interview at her office in Montclair. “And that’s why it never disturbed the community, because there was always parking.”

The religious building located in a residential neighborhood has been on Park Street for 60 years, she said. The nonconforming use in the residential zone is grandfathered in, Adkins said.

Initially, 10 potential buyers expressed interest, including one that sought to put three homes on the property — a plan that was ruled out, according to Adkins.

Representing the buyer, Hamdy Emara, a realtor associate with Jordan Baris Realty, Ceil Adkins, of Century 21 Venture Real Estate in Montclair and Mohammed El-Hawwat, a member of the Islamic Center of Essex County’s leadership board, from left, at Adkins’ offices for an interview Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. (MATT KADOSH/MONTCLAIR LOCAL)Minor Interior Renovations

Mohammed El-Hawwat, a member of the masjid’s leadership board, said they are planning minor interior renovations to the space. They will not change the building’s overall structure, El-Hawwat said.

“We’ve been looking for a place to call our own, and this place came along and we have made the deal and closed on the property,” El-Hawwat said. “We are currently praying only in the morning and the evening at the new place.”

Muslims pray five times a day, he noted. The congregation numbers about 60 people, a figure that has held steady over the past five years, El-Hawwat said.

“That is really the group that we are focused on,” he said. “If a stranger comes in, we’re going to welcome them. But we’re not looking to expand.”

‘It’s Perfect’

The masjid had needed a more permanent space for the past seven years and had been more significantly seeking one during the past four years, El-Hawwat said. Most of its members live in the Caldwells, Verona, West Orange, Cedar Grove and Montclair, he said.

“Location wise, it’s perfect for us,” El-Hawwat said. “We don’t have to travel a long distance.”

Imam Hamza Abdeen, who is in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, this week, will lead the masjid when he returns, El-Hawwat said.

The Islamic Center will become the second masjid in Montclair. The other, Masjid Al-Wadud, under the leadership of Imam Kevin Amin, is located on Bloomfield Avenue.

First Lutheran Church was set to hold its final worship on Aug. 2, the church announced.

Before its recent closure, First Lutheran Church operated on Park Street for six decades after moving there from its original location on Glenridge Avenue, Adkins said. But in recent years, the congregation’s membership declined as the membership aged out, she said.

The Rev. Margarette Ouji shared a statement on behalf of the congregation at First Lutheran Church.

“After receiving several offers, the faithful people of First Lutheran made this decision with prayer and careful consideration,” Ouji said. “We are glad the building will remain a house of worship. We look forward to the Islamic Center of Essex County making its home in our diverse and welcoming community of Montclair, NJ.”