Islamic high school opens in old Catholic church building in Boston area.

Robert Mond, a California native who was raised a Catholic and converted to Islam in 1988, is Al-Noor’s principal. He said the academy hopes it can raise awareness about Islam, and show that despite the violent acts of a few fanatical Muslim militants, ”We really are people of peace.”

Erected in 1914, the building served as St. Mary’s Church until 1964, when the current St. Mary’s was built on Pratt Street. From 1964 until 1986, the parish used the Church Street building for religious education. There were proposals to redevelop the building for housing after that time, but none bore fruit.