The Fort Dodge Islamic Center has purchased the church at 513 S. 19th St.

On Tuesday, the city’s Board of Adjustment approved a special exception, which was the last official approval needed for the mosque to open.

According to information presented to the board, the mosque will be open for morning, afternoon and evening prayers. About 15 to 20 people are expected at each prayer session, with slightly larger crowds expected for the Friday afternoon prayers.

While many mosques issue a call to prayers over loudspeakers, that will not happen at the Fort Dodge site. There will be no outdoor events or loudspeaker announcements there.

Muhammad Butt, who addressed the board on behalf of the Fort Dodge Islamic Center, said local Muslims now travel 50 to 100 miles to go to a mosque. Opening the local mosque will eliminate the need to travel, he said.

“Then we can tell our next generation that they can go to church too,” he said.

The issue before the Board of Adjustment was whether a religious institution should be allowed in an area zoned for residential multi-family use. The city planning staff recommended approval. The board granted approval with Nick Cochrane, Megan Moore and Michelle Tjaden voting yes. J.P. Mansfield and Troy Anderson were absent.

The building was constructed in 1930, according to online records of the Webster County Assessor’s Office.

It formerly was the home of Emmanuel Baptist Church. The Fort Dodge Islamic Center bought the building from Emmanuel Baptist last month.