‘Home Alone’ fans flock to Grace Episcopal Church for on-location screening

Film fans gathered Saturday evening at Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park for a sold-out, on-location screening of Home Alone, an immersive holiday event hosted by On Set Cinema that brought viewers inside the church where one of the movie’s most memorable scenes was shot.

The 1990 holiday classic follows 8-year-old Kevin McCallister after he is accidentally left behind when his family travels to Paris for the holidays. One of the most unforgettable moments unfolds quietly inside a church, where Kevin sits in on a choir rehearsal and strikes up an unexpected conversation with Old Man Marley about family, fear and forgiveness. This scene was filmed at Grace Episcopal Church.

On Set Cinema is a traveling film series that hosts screenings of cult favorites and classics at the exact locations where they were filmed. The project was created by filmmaker and superfan Kenny Caperton, who has spent more than two decades visiting movie locations around the world and is known for living in a life-size replica of Michael Myers’ house from Halloween. 

“Home Alone is a little unique since it’s more of a family film and more accessible. I’m working with the church that serves as a central part of the community and I absolutely love it when locals come to my events, that’s always amazing. There’s also something special about someone who is truly passionate about a film,” Caperton said.

Caperton explained that while Home Alone drew more local families because of its accessibility, his screenings generally attract passionate fans who travel from across the country to experience films at their original locations. These devoted viewers often return to movies they’ve seen countless times to create lasting memories.

“This is a movie that people watch with their families every year at one of the most meaningful times of the year. It brings back memories of opening presents, sharing meals and gathering together to laugh and watch Home Alone. Watching the film with other fans adds to that sense of connection and makes the experience meaningful in its own right,” Caperton said.

Watching the film on location, particularly inside a historic and visually striking church, takes the experience to another level, Caperton said. The setting features one of the film’s most meaningful scenes, when Kevin meets Old Man Marley and the two share a moment of understanding just before the final showdown. Experiencing that scene in the space where it was filmed adds a deeper sense of emotional weight. Caperton said his goal is for audiences to leave feeling more connected to both the film and their families.

The evening also featured guided tours of the church, holiday decorations and a choir performance prior to the screening, adding to the immersive experience beyond the film itself. There also was a cardboard cutout of Kevin McCallister placed where he sits in the film.

“It’s an opportunity to fully lean into the fandom and enjoy the space, whether that’s through a walking tour, sitting in the pews or taking a picture with Kevin. Then we listen to the choir and watch the movie inside the church. I think it encapsulates everything and gives people different ways to experience the event,” Caperton said. 

Caperton believes Home Alone endures because of its heart, memorable music and iconic characters, which elevate its simple premise into something timeless. Its humor and universal themes continue to resonate with audiences of all ages, just as they did when the film was first released 35 years ago.

“If you’re watching it on location, especially inside a historic and beautiful church, I think that just takes it over the top. It just so happens that the scene in Home Alone is one of the most meaningful moments in the film,” Caperton said.