A longtime church property in North Texas is set to begin a new chapter after being purchased by an Islamic organization following a legal dispute over a $3.8 million sale agreement.
The former Richardson Baptist Church campus at 201 N. Plano Road in Richardson is now expected to become an Islamic education and community center, according to the buyers. Authentic Ilm Mission announced that the purchase has been completed and that the property will be transformed into a campus featuring a K–12 school, a seminary program and community services.
The organization said Salahuddin Future Academy is the buyer of the property and plans to use the location to serve families and residents throughout the Richardson and Plano areas.
Property Purchase Confirmed After Months of Fundraising
Dr. Karim Abū Zaid, speaking on behalf of Authentic Ilm Mission, confirmed that the purchase of the former church property was finalized.
“I can confirm that the purchase of the property has been completed,” Abū Zaid said in a written statement.
The announcement followed months of fundraising efforts connected to securing the former church campus. The property, located along North Plano Road, had attracted attention because of its size, location and the legal dispute surrounding the attempted sale.
The campus includes approximately 26,742 square feet of building space, according to property marketing materials. The asking price for the property was listed at near $3.95 million, while the reported sales agreement was valued at $3.8 million.
Lawsuit Filed Over Disputed Church Sale
Before the purchase was completed, Salahuddin Future Academy filed a lawsuit against Korean World Mission Baptist Church in Dallas County.
The lawsuit was filed on Feb. 26 in the 191st District Court and involved a sales agreement signed on Oct. 31, 2025.
According to court documents, the two sides had entered into a contract for the property for $3.8 million. The academy reportedly paid $38,000 in earnest money as part of the agreement.
The buyer asked the court to require the church to complete the sale through a legal remedy known as specific performance. This would have required the seller to move forward with the transaction.
The lawsuit also requested more than $1 million in damages as an alternative remedy.
Court Case Closed Without Final Ruling
The legal battle ended without a court decision on the underlying contract dispute.
Salahuddin Future Academy filed a notice of nonsuit without prejudice on April 7, which closed the case. Because the lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed, the court never determined whether the church was legally required to complete the sale.
The dismissal means the contract-related questions raised in the lawsuit were not resolved through a judicial ruling.
However, the buyers later confirmed that the property transaction had been completed, indicating that the ownership transfer moved forward outside of the court process.
Plans for New Islamic Campus
Authentic Ilm Mission and Salahuddin Future Academy said the former church property will be developed into a multi-purpose Islamic education and community facility.
The planned campus will include:
- Salahuddin Future Academy, a K–12 Islamic school
- AIM Dawah Academy & Seminary
- A mosque
- Ansar Pantry community food assistance program
According to the organizations, the school will combine Islamic education with traditional academic subjects. The seminary program is expected to focus on Qur’anic studies, Arabic language education, leadership training, and religious outreach programs.
The community pantry will provide additional services to residents in need.
Property Conversion Comes During Broader North Texas Discussions
The planned transformation of the Richardson property comes as religious and community developments across North Texas have received increased public attention.
Several Muslim-led projects in the region have sparked discussions involving zoning, land use, neighborhood concerns and religious freedom.
One example is the proposed EPIC City development, which has faced public debate and government scrutiny over issues related to planning, development and community impact.
The Richardson property conversion is part of a larger conversation about how religious organizations use and redevelop existing buildings in growing suburban communities.
Future Development Will Depend on Local Records
Although the buyers have confirmed the purchase, additional details about the transition will become clearer through public records.
Future permit applications, renovation plans, and recorded property documents will provide more information about construction work, ownership changes, and the official use of the site.
The end of the lawsuit means there was no court ruling on the original sales dispute, but the completed purchase allows Salahuddin Future Academy and Authentic Ilm Mission to move forward with their plans for the former Baptist campus.
The property that once served as a church is now expected to become a major Islamic education and community center serving families in the North Dallas area.
