Morgan Park United Methodist Church will host the third Laugh With Leon comedy show and fundraiser from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at 11030 S. Longwood Drive. Comedian, actor and radio personality Leon Rogers will headline the event, which organizers describe as a clean, professional comedy night featuring performers from across the Chicago area.
According to Block Club Chicago, Rogers co-hosts 107.5 WGCI's morning show. The published lineup includes Fab Monroe, Damon Howard, Kellye Howard, B Cole, Just Nesh and WGCI radio personality Zach Boog, with organizers promising comedy without profanity. For the first time, the night will also include a surprise special guest co-host, according to rentMPUMC, which lists a 6 p.m. VIP meet-and-greet with Rogers before the main show.
April Preyar, a Morgan Park United Methodist Church member, organized the event, according to Block Club Chicago. The church has hosted Laugh With Leon twice previously over the past year. The Beverly Review reported that an earlier installment took place Saturday, March 14, at 7 p.m., with Rogers hosting a comedy lineup. For this Saturday's show, Block Club Chicago reported advance tickets at $25 and tickets at the door at $30.
Ticket Prices Show Some Discrepancies
Exactly how much it costs to get in Saturday depends on which listing you check. The church's own website states general admission runs $25 in advance with tickets costing $30 at the church, while a separate page on morganparkumc.org lists a $40 VIP option alongside the $25 general admission tier and $30 at the door. Yet another page tied to the church, found at morganparkumc.org/laugh-with-leon-3, describes tickets simply as $30 at the door with admission listed as general admission only. A ticketing page on Zeffy describes a VIP option that includes priority entry, reserved seating, access to a VIP lounge, an exclusive reception and photos with the comedians — though it's unclear from available listings exactly how that reconciles with the general-admission-only description found elsewhere.
Proceeds Will Support Church Building Repairs
Proceeds will support repairs to the church building, according to Block Club Chicago, which reported that summer storms damaged copper gutters requiring new soldering work. The outlet also reported that the church needs improvements to its clay tile roof. The Morgan Park United Methodist Church building was designed by architect Harry Hale Waterman in 1912 and completed in 1913. According to the church's website, the congregation traces its Morgan Park history to its first Sunday service on May 22, 1887, attended by 42 people.
Weather, preservation and food-assistance context
Chicago had a notably wet start to the summer. According to the National Weather Service Chicago, the city received 5.00 inches of precipitation in June 2026, 0.90 inches above normal. In July, the city recorded 5.36 inches, 1.65 inches above normal, including a daily record of 1.71 inches on July 3, according to the National Weather Service Chicago. Those records provide broader weather context but do not establish the cause of the church's damage. Landmarks Illinois says its Preservation Heritage Fund provides monetary assistance for significant Illinois structures and sites facing deterioration, stabilization or other preservation needs; the program page does not indicate that Morgan Park United Methodist Church received funding. A 2026 report from the Greater Chicago Food Depository and NORC at the University of Chicago found that 36% of Chicago households lacked consistent access to enough food as of June 2026. That figure provides regional context for the pantry's ongoing role, while BAPA's reporting identifies the Maple Morgan Park Food Pantry as serving more than 1,500 individuals and families regularly.
A Church That Doubles as a Community Hub
The church also regularly opens its doors to nonprofits and community groups, Block Club Chicago reported. The building is home to the Maple Morgan Park Food Pantry, which serves more than 1,500 individuals and families on a regular basis, according to BAPA. The pantry began in 1981, when two women from the church collected food in a barrel for 40 families.
For neighbors looking for a lighter night out while pitching in on the church's repair fund, Saturday's show offers both. With Rogers back at the mic, a rotating cast of Chicago comics, and a surprise co-host still under wraps, organizers are hoping this third Laugh With Leon draws as much of a crowd as the roof repairs need.
