The parish’s cure cottage is a small apartment in the back of the property, above the garage.

When a long-term renter of the cottage moved out two years ago, they decided to turn it into a place for religious retreats and for visitors of all kinds to stay for free. But that meant the church lost out on $500 in rent each month. Some visitors donate to the church for their stay, but there is no cost.

Cruz Lillegard, a former rodeo cowboy, was decked out in his riding chaps, a 10-gallon hat, boots and a lasso as he collected donations on the church’s front steps. In the front, he wore his clerical collar; in the back, he had a back tag from a rodeo where he broke his arm pinned to his shirt. His rigging had a “Jesus loves cowboys” sticker on it.

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Father Andrew Cruz Lillegard, the rector of St. Luke the Beloved Physician Episcopal church in Saranac Lake, displays a rodeo back tag from his rodeo cowboy days. His wife Theresa said Andrew broke his arm in this rodeo. Now, he uses his lasso to bring people into conversations about redemption. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

The cottage

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Cruz Lillegard said the cottage has been occupied sporadically during the pandemic, but they’re hoping to bring more people in for retreats, to get away from the worldly concerns of everyday life.

“I think they’re really helpful for people looking to have a deeper relationship with God,” Andrew’s wife, Theresa Cruz Lillegard, said of retreats.

She said overburdened parents, teachers, doctors or other professionals could all use a spiritual retreat. The cottage is also available for artists, writers and businesspeople to work in, whether it’s writing a book or joining a Zoom call.

Visiting preachers and parishioners also stay there when they come to town, and Andrew does counseling sessions in the living room when it’s not in use.

The cottage is a small, cozy apartment. Theresa said most of the furniture was donated by parishioners.

People who want to stay there can contact Theresa at theresa@stlukessaranaclake.org.

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Rodeo to rectory

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Monday was the Feast of St. Luke, for whom the parish is named after. Andrew said he puts on his rodeo gear and stands out in front of the church once a year for this occasion. His career as a bronco rider is a curiosity to some the community, he said, but he doesn’t want to overshadow his ministry.

“We don’t want to wear it out,” Andrew said.

Andrew rode bareback bronco from 1997 to 2000.

“Rodeo is a young man’s sport,” he said. “When I get down on my knees to pray, you know, you feel every ride you ever took.”

Now, he wears his spurs for the gospel. Andrew said his rodeo past is a unique way of starting conversations about redemption.

At the parish on Church Street on Monday, people who came by to drop off cash and coins got to ring a cowbell.