Celebrating 110 Years of St. Christopher’s Inn

March 15, 2019

First Inn, 1909

This year, we are celebrating 110 years of “St. Christopher’s Inn,” but what exactly does that mean? This milestone is not just a celebration of a number, but rather a celebration of life. This is a celebration for tens of thousands of men in need who have visited this mountain and found welcome, comfort, nourishment and healing in mind, body and spirit. So many Brothers Christopher havefound restoration with their higher power, their families and themselves here over the last 110 years.St. Christopher’s Inn, on the Holy Mountain of Graymoor, is quite literally a place of miracles.

Second Inn, 1928

Fourth Inn, 1953

For the past 20 years, in addition to providing shelter, food, clothing, spiritual counseling, medical attention and 12-step meetings, St. Christopher’s Inn has also served as a New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) licensed out-patient treatment program for substance use disorder.While the model of providing housing, healthcare and substance abuse treatment all on one campus is not unique to the Inn, there is an additional element here that no other treatment program has—the presence of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement.

Third Inn, 1933

Not only did the founder of the Friars of the Atonement and St. Christopher’s Inn, Servant of God, Father Paul Wattson, SA, model for the Friars radical welcome and acceptance to all who came to the Inn for any reason, but he also understood the dangers of opioids and recognized addiction as a disease as early as the 1930s. Today we further understand that addiction is a disease of mind, body and spirit, and recovery comes by addressing all of these elements—a model unique to St. Christopher’s Inn, and one of immeasurable success.

Alumni Picnic

This year, 2019, we celebrate all the men who have made their way to the Inn and found their peace; we remember and support those who are still searching for healing and recovery; and we salute all the Friars of the Atonement for their continued commitment to providing Franciscan hospitality and spirituality to all who seek.

The nurses are the best part of my day.

The admission process was as fast and painless as it could be.

The medical staff is excellent, they treated me with love and care.

Overall the program and facility at St. Christopher’s Inn is the best, bar none.

Family program is PERFECT please don’t change a thing.

I took part in the GED program and was quite satisfied. I haven’t taken the test yet, but I have very high hopes of passing.

Gained immense knowledge from lectures and treatment plan.

It is very spiritual and I needed the experience.

The care and concern by my counselor and supporting staff shows the love that I didn’t know existed.

Staff is unbelievable, saved my life.

The goals I have reached and the new ones I’ve developed while being here are something of a life changer for me in my future.

I was pleasantly surprised by the existence of the Coffee House. Music is a central and meditative part of my life. The ability to perform for my new brothers here and the staff was unexpected and made this an incredible journey.

I would have nothing if it wasn’t for SCI.

Great people, caring and responsive.

I would like to tell you how thankful I am to you for having this family program available. I want to say thank you for giving me exactly what I needed.

The experience of being here and becoming a member of the Brothers Christopher fraternity has changed my life. Being in the Friars house was a blessing. Their generosity gave me knowledge I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you for the privilege I was given to stay here in your house. God bless you all. I will always keep a piece of St. Christopher’s Inn in my heart.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hot meals, warm bed and unconditional love you so easily gave to me. I know if it were not for you, I would truly still be a lost soul.

The road to recovery is called Franciscan Way, and the door to happiness lies within the walls of St. Christopher’s Inn.

I never thought someone could care for a drug addict like me. You have shown me that I am worth something. May God bless you a million times.

Thank you for welcoming me in to your home, and granting me a scholarship for treatment. There’s not enough “thank-yous” I could say, so I’m going to show you by staying clean and living a peaceful sober life.

I want to thank you for everything—from my stay here to working in the Thrift Shop. I am so grateful for St. Christopher’s Inn and every staff member that represents this fantastic organization.

I was amazed by the unbelievable generosity of everyone at our Christmas party. A nice scarf and a collared shirt—I have been through hundreds in my life but I have never cared for any of them as I do for these. Thank you for giving me the best Christmas in many, many years.

I love this place. They have given me a place to sleep, food in my stomach, clothes on my back, and a chance at a first-class life. Recovery is here . . . all you have to do is want it!

Today, I am a sober man. I live an honest and simple life. I’m a reliable, employable productive member of society. I have dignity and self-worth and even self-love. All of these things are a direct result of the care and guidance given to me by the Friars and the staff at St. Christopher’s Inn. Some people call it a homeless shelter. I call it home.