 In 1851, surveyors for the Rock Island Railroad established the right of way for the tracks that would one day lead through present day Mokena (a name that is believed to have been derived from the Potawatomie Indian word for “turtle”). A railroad station and a hotel/tavern built to house railroad workers were the humble beginnings of the Village.For more than 150 years, the Village of Mokena has been a wonderful oasis in the southwest Chicagoland area. The Village has a track record of well-planned growth since its incorporation, and now has a population of 16,171.
Mokena is a quiet community, well-removed from the congestion of city life, and its warm, friendly atmosphere invites families and businesses to share in its success.
The Rock Island Railroad was invaluable to the region’s farmers who brought their milk, livestock, and other produce into the Village for shipment to Chicago and markets throughout the country.
During the 1860s, three churches were founded, and a school was built in 1872. By 1878, Mokena’s population had grown to 500, and the town was officially incorporated as a village in 1880.
By the middle of the 20th century, Mokena showed signs of developing into a thoroughly modern community. Mineral Springs, Mokena’s first major subdivision, was platted in 1947, and the 1960s saw a 60% increase in population due to annexation of adjacent land. The Village expanded its boundaries east to 80th Avenue, south beyond Route 30, and north to I-80. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, several new housing developments took shape, inviting a boom in population that has resulted in more than 16,000 residents to date. In 2005, Local #597 Pipefitter’s Training Facility opened and in 2006 the 191st Street widening (to four lanes throughout) was completed.
Over 150 years ago, Mokena’s first settlers were committed to building a community on a firm foundation of faith. They recognized the importance of spiritual guidance in everyday life, and were dedicated to ensuring that their faith would endure. Residents today reap the benefits of the early vision of a caring, compassionate community where all can worship, share in a sense of togetherness, and experience the healing power of their faith.
Mokena churches include Grace Fellowship, Immanuel Lutheran, Marley Community, Mokena Baptist, Mokena United Methodist, St. John’s United Church of Christ, and St. Mary Catholic.
St. Mary German Catholic Church is nestled in St. Mary Cemetery, just east of Wolf Road at 195th Street. Built in 1864, this white clapboard building with its tall steeple serves as a reminder of the rich history and pride of the St. Mary Parish and the Mokena community. |
