The Christophers
A United States-based Christian inspirational organization known for ecumenical media, publications, leadership education, and the Christopher Awards.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
The Christophers are a Christian inspirational organization founded in the United States in 1945 by Father James Keller, a Maryknoll priest. Its name derives from the Greek word christophoros, commonly translated as “Christ-bearer.” Although the organization has an explicitly Roman Catholic origin and orientation, it presents its public work in broadly ecumenical terms. The Christophers describe their mission as rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of service to God and humanity and state that their programs are intended for people of every nation, religion, and age group. The organization emerged in a period when Catholic participation in American public life was being debated and sometimes viewed with suspicion. Keller sought to communicate Christian ideals through accessible, emotionally direct forms rather than through specialized theology or philosophy. The group’s guiding motto, “It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness,” expresses its emphasis on constructive action. Its themes have included personal responsibility, public honesty, service to people who are sick or poor, and responses to substance abuse and other social problems. Broadcasting became one of The Christophers’ most visible activities. A weekly half-hour television program associated with the organization began on ABC in 1945. The television project later developed into Christopher Closeup, a program built around interviews, inspirational discussion, and dramatic presentations. Guests and participants over the years included figures from entertainment, journalism, medicine, literature, and public life. The program was subsequently distributed in limited syndication through local cable outlets and continued in television form until 2012. The organization also syndicated a weekly radio program using the Christopher Closeup name. The Christophers publish Christopher News Notes, a newsletter issued ten times each year, and have produced other inspirational and educational materials. Their activities also include the Christopher Leadership Course, a public-speaking and leadership program offered in locations in the United States, Canada, and other countries. The course reflects the organization’s longstanding interest in encouraging individuals to participate constructively in civic and community life. The Christopher Awards are the organization’s best-known continuing institution. Presented annually since 1949, the awards recognize books, films, radio and television programs, and individuals whose work is judged to affirm human dignity and encourage positive influence. The awards are not restricted to works with explicitly religious content. Their stated criteria combine artistic and technical achievement with the ability to reach a broad audience and uphold high values of the human spirit. Award areas include books for adults, books for young people, feature films, radio and television, as well as leadership, lifetime achievement, and special awards. The Christophers therefore occupy an unusual position between religious ministry, nonprofit communications, media recognition, and leadership education. Its work remains visibly Catholic in origin while seeking a wider audience through inclusive language and secular cultural formats. The organization is based in New York City and maintains its public presence through its website, publications, awards, and related media activities.
History
The Christophers were founded in 1945 by Father James Keller, a Maryknoll priest, during a period when religious identity and Catholic participation in American public life were subjects of active debate. The organization’s name comes from christophoros, a Greek term meaning “Christ-bearer.” From the beginning, its work combined an overt Roman Catholic foundation with an effort to address a general American audience. Rather than focusing on technical theological argument, Keller emphasized direct moral encouragement and practical service. The organization’s early public strategy made significant use of mass media. A weekly half-hour television program began on ABC in 1945. Its purpose was to present Christian inspiration and examples of constructive action in a format accessible to viewers beyond Catholic parishes. The program’s approach was consistent with The Christophers’ stated ecumenical outlook: Catholic in origin, but open in intended audience. Its recurring message was summarized by the motto “It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness,” a call to positive action rather than pessimism or condemnation. The same idea was reflected in the theme song “One Little Candle.” The Christophers connected religious belief with social and civic concerns. Its public themes included honesty in political life, care for sick and poor people, and responses to substance abuse. The organization also sought to speak to Americans who had no formal connection with organized religion. Its publications and programs consequently used moral and inspirational language that could be understood outside strictly confessional settings. In 1949, The Christophers established the Christopher Awards. The awards developed into an annual program recognizing creative works and people whose contributions were considered capable of affirming human worth and encouraging positive influence. The principal categories came to include books for adults, books for young people, feature films, and radio and television. Additional honors included the Christopher Leadership Award, the Christopher Life Achievement Award, and the Special Christopher Award. Nominations and reviews involved media professionals, staff members with relevant expertise, and supervised children’s reading groups. The program did not require a work to have religious subject matter, and adult-oriented films were not automatically excluded. The television project later took the name Christopher Closeup and moved from its original ABC network presentation into more limited syndication through local cable channels. The format included interviews and, in some periods, dramatic features. Participants and interviewees came from entertainment, journalism, medicine, literature, and public affairs. The organization also syndicated a radio program under the Christopher Closeup name. The television program continued until 2012, while the broader organization’s other activities continued through publications, awards, and educational programs. The Christophers publish Christopher News Notes, a newsletter issued ten times annually. It also offers The Christopher Leadership Course, which focuses on public speaking and leadership and has been held in the United States, Canada, and other countries. These activities extend the organization’s original media mission into personal development and civic participation. Based in New York City, The Christophers remain a religiously grounded communications and education organization. Its identity is shaped by the tension it deliberately manages: it is distinctly Catholic in origin and institutional character, but it presents its programs as relevant to people across religious backgrounds. Its continuing public profile rests especially on the Christopher Awards, its publications, and the legacy of its long-running broadcast work.
- 2012
Weekly television production ends
[1]The Christopher Closeup television program ended its long-running television presence after later years of limited syndication.
- 1952
Christopher Closeup era begins
[1]The organization’s television work developed into the Christopher Closeup format, which featured interviews and dramatic presentations.
- 1949
Christopher Awards established
[1]The annual awards program began honoring selected books, films, radio and television work, and individual achievements.
- 1945
The Christophers are founded
[1]Father James Keller founded The Christophers as a Christian inspirational organization with a Maryknoll and Roman Catholic origin.
- 1945
Initial television program begins on ABC
[1]A weekly half-hour television program brought The Christophers’ inspirational message to a national broadcast audience.
Products and positioning
Religious organization
Media and cultural awards · 1949
Christopher Awards
An annual awards program recognizing books, feature films, radio and television programs, and selected individuals. The awards emphasize artistic and technical quality, broad audience reach, and the affirmation of human dignity and constructive values. Categories include books for adults and young people, feature films, radio and television, leadership, lifetime achievement, and special recognition. Religious subject matter is not required for eligibility.
Television and radio programming · 1952
Christopher Closeup
The organization’s broadcast brand, developed from its earlier ABC television program. Christopher Closeup used interviews, inspirational discussion, and dramatic features to explore moral, social, and human-interest themes. Guests included figures from entertainment, journalism, medicine, and public life. The television program ended in 2012, while a related radio program was also syndicated.
Publication
Christopher News Notes
A newsletter published ten times each year. It extends The Christophers’ inspirational and service-oriented mission through written material intended to encourage constructive personal and community action.
Leadership education
The Christopher Leadership Course
A public-speaking and leadership course offered in locations in the United States, Canada, and other countries. The course reflects the organization’s interest in helping participants communicate effectively and contribute to civic and community life.
Recent events
- 2012
Christopher Closeup television program ends regular production[1]
Other
The weekly television program associated with The Christophers, later known as Christopher Closeup, concluded its television run after decades of broadcasting and syndication.
- 1949
Christopher Awards begin annual recognition program[1]
Other
The organization began presenting the Christopher Awards to recognize books, films, and broadcast works considered affirming of human dignity and constructive social values.
- 1945
The Christophers founded by Father James Keller[1]
Other
Father James Keller established The Christophers as a Christian inspirational organization intended to communicate religious and civic ideals through accessible public media and publications.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/the-christophers · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled