OUR HISTORY

Many Alcoholics Anonymous meetings begin in someone’s home, church, or hospital. When a home group in Mokena needed more space, St. John’s Church agreed to provide a meeting room for two meetings a week.  After meetings, the group would gather outside to chat and take part in what is known as fellowship.  During the summer, late-night laughter was heard by the neighbors and the group needed to find a new place to hold meetings.

In 1991, Don Ervin rented a room at 19836 Wolf Road for $200 per month and kept Big Books in his trunk.  Meetings were held at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m.  There was a two-hour break between meetings because most times meetings would last longer than an hour.  There was always the 7th Tradition of passing the basket as all AA meetings are self-supporting and responsible for costs incurred for such meetings and supporting various AA-related organizations.  In the early days of MFC, Don E. paid the rent, provided coffee, etc., and paid for all utilizes for a year until the membership could support itself.  There was always a picnic for people who attended MFC and their families so they could get to know each other.  The first banquet began in 1994.  Al-Anon always held their meeting on Sunday at 6 p.m. and the Saturday 8 p.m. meeting was devoted to the study of the first three Steps and an open meeting once a month had a speaker.  The same holds true today.

In 2004, Mokena Fellowship Center was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and founded with the mission to provide facilities and/or functions to carry on the three legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous:  Unity, Service, and Recovery.

After 27 years at the Wolf Road address, on May 19, 2018, we moved to 11137 W. 191st Street, Mokena, IL 60448.  As of February 2020, we reached our goal and have purchased our own facility.  We have a permanent home.  Our first meting in our new location,13550 West Maple Road (Route 6), Mokena, IL 60448, will be held at 5:00 am March 28, 2020.  Come join us!