Retreat into Sacred Stillness at Christ in the Wilderness
Located just west of Chicago near Stockton, Illinois, among the rolling hills of the Mississippi Valley, Christ in the Wilderness (CITW) is a hermitage retreat center offering space for solitude, reflection, and renewal in nature.
Whether you’re religious, spiritual-but-not-religious, or simply seeking quiet, our three private hermitages welcome individuals from all walks of life to experience the healing power of stillness and silence.
Founded more than 44 years ago, CITW was built on a simple yet enduring idea: that taking intentional time away from the noise of everyday life is essential to living a meaningful one.
In a world full of constant stimulation and distraction, CITW invites you to slow down. Here, there is no Wi-Fi, no schedules, no demands—only sacred quiet, gentle trails, wildlife, and open sky.
Retreatants often tell us this is where they finally exhale. They rest. They reflect. They remember what matters.
At CITW, your retreat is yours alone. In your private hermitage, you are free to:
- Read, nap, or journal by candlelight
- Walk wooded paths or prairie trails
- Pray or meditate at your own pace
- Reflect and listen—without interruption
Time here offers the chance to ask the deeper questions often buried beneath routine. What do I truly want? What is calling me forward? What am I ready to release?
Many guests describe experiencing a quiet shift—a re-centering of spirit. Some leave with clarity. Others find the courage to make significant life changes. Most return home grounded and renewed.
While rooted in Christian hospitality, we honor and embrace spiritual diversity. We welcome all who seek rest, stillness, or reconnection—with themselves, with nature, or with something greater.
Whether you’re discerning a call, recovering from burnout, or simply longing to be alone in a beautiful place, CITW offers space to listen—to your soul, to silence, and to the sacred.
Christ in the Wilderness is more than a destination. It’s a threshold. A pause. A remembering.
If you’re ready to retreat, we invite you to explore our availability or learn more about our story and setting.
Mission
The mission of Christ in the Wilderness is to provide an environment that is conducive to silence, solitude, prayer and reflection.
Core Values
- Belief in God’s impact and effect on each person’s life
- Recognition of diverse expressions of individual life journeys
- Acknowledgment of diverse ways to experience solitude
- Maintenance of the natural environment, fostering of the absence of distraction, and respect for the solitude and privacy of each retreatant
