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| | MUMC History
 The Mokena United Methodist Church
located at 10901 La Porte Road has been an active member of the Mokena
community since 1867. The actual date of church organization is unknown,
but the earliest record is listed in the Rock River Conference Journal
indicating that Rev. A. Salisbury was sent to Mokena in 1866. This
information agrees with an inscription on the underside of the marble-topped
table in our sanctuary, which reads, "This church was dedicated on the 15th
of December, 1867. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Kidder of
Evanston. The Pastor was Rev. Lucius Hawkins."
Before this time, worship services were held in the "old
school." Even after the Church was built, membership remained
small. The Mokena Methodist Church was able to remain in ministry only
through the devoted work of all its small membership.
Beginning around 1885, on alternate Sundays, the building was shared with the
Baptist Church. Rollin Marshall started a Union Sunday School for the
Baptists and Methodists. In the beginning there was no choir or musical
instruments for worship. The minister started all hymns acappella and the
congregation joined in. Eventually, a piano was acquired, and it was not
until 1959 that the church purchased its first organ. Today a grand piano
also graces the sanctuary, a memorial gift in memory of Lee Plutz. Today,
too, there is an adult choir, and a children's choir. The children's choir
sings once a month and the adult choir glorifies God every week and performs an
Easter Cantata in the Spring.
The current brick structure was erected in 1981 on 4
½ acres of land adjacent to the local forest preserve and community park
district. The church continues to grow and serve a rapidly growing
community under its present Pastor. The Mokena United Methodist Church has
progressed in many ways since its organization 135 years ago and continues to
reach out to the community and the surrounding area through its personal
ministry and mission projects.
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