The Chicago Center officially began in the early 1960s.
SRF Founder Paramahansa Yogananda visited Chicago a number of times to speak to the public and conduct lecture classes. Yogananda also came to Chicago in 1933 to address the second World Parliament of Religions, which was held in conjunction with the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. While in Chicago, he would often stay at the Morrison Hotel, renowned in those years as the world’s tallest hotel. The site of the hotel, at Madison and Clark Streets in downtown Chicago, is now occupied by a high rise office building.
Here is an historic timeline.
1963
The Chicago Center of Self-Realization Fellowship officially begins on February 28, 1963. The SRF Center Department’s official notification letter to the members is dated March 1, 1963. The group meets at the home of a member in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, on Friday evenings at 7:00 pm.
1964
The Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center tour in September, with Brother Anandamoy, Ernest Pesseux and Mrs. Vickerman, at the Morrison Hotel.
1965
The Morrison Hotel is demolished. The site is now occupied by Chase Tower (formerly Bank One Plaza) at 21 South Clark Street in downtown Chicago.
1968
The Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Tour in October, with Brother Mokshananda, Brahmachari Rothwell, and Mrs. Vickerman.
1972
The Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Tour in May with Brother Mokshananda and Brahmachari Isaac.
1973
The Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Tour in September with Brother Bhavananda and Brother Dharmananda.
1973-1974
The Chicago Center moves, and meets for a short time at the home of a member in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood.
1974
Two group members, both hatha yoga teachers at the Lawson YMCA on Chicago Avenue, arrange meeting space for the group at the “Y”.
In September, the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Tour with Brother Mokshananda and Brahmachari Austin.
1976
The Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Tour with Brother Mokshananda and Brahmachari Dennis.
1977
The Chicago Center hosts a Weekend Retreat in May with Brother Turiyananda and Brahmachari Dale. In October, the group hosts an SRF Center Tour with Brother Achalananda and Brahmachari Eckart.
Late 1970s
The Chicago Center moves to a member’s home: a basement apartment in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood. In May 1979, the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Tour with Brother Mokshananda and Brahmachari Gary.
1980-1985
The Chicago Center hosts the following SRF events: June 1980 – Weekend Retreat with Brother Sadananda and Brahmachari Austin; May 1981 – Center Tour with Brother Achalananda and Brahmachari Simon; June 1983 – Weekend Retreat with Brother Sadananda and Brahmachari Jay; May 1985 – Center Tour with Brother Santoshananda and Brahmachari Shawn.
Mid 1980s
The Chicago Center moves to a member’s apartment in suburban Oak Park, Illinois on Taylor Street north of Chicago Avenue. As the Center’s membership grows, it becomes necessary to rent the upper level apartment of the two story building for its services.
1988-1991
The Chicago Center hosts the following SRF events: September 1988 – Center Tour with Brother Mitrananda and Brahmachari Bradley; May 1989 – Weekend Retreat with Brother Devananda and Brahmachari Dean; March 1990 – Center Tour with Brother Devananda and Brahmachari Keith; June 1991 – Center Tour with Brother Ramananda and Brahmachari Gregory.
1993
In April, the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Tour with Brother Achalananda and Brahamachari Keith. In August, the City of Chicago hosts the World’s Parliament of Religions. The event is attended by Brothers Anandamoy, Achalananda, Mitrananda and Paramananda, and Brahmacharis Peter and Steven.
1995
The Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Tour with Brother Devananda and Brahmachari Keith.
1996
The Chicago Center moves to a two-story office building in Hillside, Illinois. This location contains a chapel, bookroom, and children’s Sunday school room.
1997
The Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Tour in November at the Congress Hotel in downtown Chicago, with Brother Satyananda and Brahmachari Martin.
2000
The Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Tour at the Holiday Inn in Hillside, Illinois with Brother Anilananda and Brahmachari Robin.
2004
The Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Tour in September at Illinois State Beach Resort in Zion, Illinois with Brother Mitrananda and Brahmachari Terry.
2007
After 11 years at our Hillside location, the group relocates on July 28 to a two story office building in nearby Westchester, Illinois. The address is 10031 West Roosevelt Road, Suite 220.
In September, the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Member Support Visit with Brother Devananda and Brahmachari Augusto.
2008
In October, the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Member Support Visit at Illinois State Beach Resort in Zion, Illinois with Brother Jayananda and Brahmachari Cormack.
2011
In March, the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Department Visit with Brahmachari Lynn and Brahmachari Roberto.
2012
In April, the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Member Support Visit and Public Lecture at the DoubleTree Hotel O’Hare, with Brother Naradananda and Brahmachari Gordon.
2014
In April, the Chicago Center hosts an SFR Center Department Visit with Brother Ritananada and Brahmachari Andy.
In September, the Chicago Center moves to its new home at 946 N. Harlem Avenue in River Forest, Illinois.
In December, the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Member Support Visit with Brother Kalyananda and Brahmachari Shekhar who dedicated our Chapel and led our group in the All Day Christmas Meditation.
2015
In May, the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Member Visit and Public Lecture at the Westin O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois with Brother Satyananda and Brahmachari Cormack.
2016
In April, the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Department Visit with Brother Jayananda and Brahmachari Andy.
2017
In June, the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Department Visit with Brother Devananda and Brahmachari Andy.
In December, the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Member Support Visit with Brother Sarvananda and Brother Saralananda who lead our group in the All Day Christmas Meditation.
2018
In April, the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Center Department Visit with Brother Devananda and Brother Nikhilananda.
2019
In November, the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Member Visit and Public Lecture at the Westin O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois with Brother Bhumananda and Brahmachari Yannick.
2022
In September the Chicago Center hosts an SRF Member Support Visit with Brother Keshavananda and Brother Govindananda.
Today, the Chicago Center of Self-Realization Fellowship is based in the near west Chicago suburb of River Forest, Illinois. What brings us together is our search for God, which we find in our meditation practice and study of Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings. We enjoy this special form of fellowship and warmly welcome others to join us.
Please visit this page again soon, as we present more information about our history.