The Beginnings of our Capuchin presence at Wadakkanchery have a providential note. The inspiring remark of Mar Joseph Kundukulam, the Bishop of Thrissur that the lepers be given not only food but also houses to live in, was perhaps the first step for a big project to be realised after some years. Further, Br. Stephen Jairaj, the then Guardian of Calvary Ashram and the friars at Calvary thought it their mission that the lepers be given a shelter. When the SFO Minister of Austria visited Calvary Ashram, Br. Stephen made it a point to negotiate with him for a housing project for the lepers. Everything took a positive turn. After having overcome many local protests against houses for lepers, a piece of land was bought at Wadakkanchery with the initiative of Br. Mathew Kodakkanal, the Spiritual Assistant of SFO.

The project got remarkable support also from Fr. Chelsus CMI and his young volunteers who were committed to the cause. The SFO fraternity of Austria sponsored the entire project of housing. When Br George Mekkara was the Director of the SFO he was entrusted with the responsibility of this project and he registered it in the name of the Franciscan Association of Thrissur eparchy with the name Assisi Rehabilitation Centre (ARC). The project was inaugurated by Mr. Karunakaran the Chief Minister of Kerala on 15 May 1983. With 51 families of the patients, its arduous and expensive daily maintenance was much supported by SFO members of the Eparchy, cooperated by Rev. Sisters of Nirmala Dasikal from 1983-2009 and guided by Capuchin Friars. In 1985 it was registered under the Societies Act.

The pandemic nature of leprosy had disappeared and the number of patients got reduced very much. The SFO members discussed the issue. Being unable to find a suitable alternative and finding it difficult to manage, they approached the Provincial Chapter of 2011 with the written request of taking over ARC for its further running. After much discussion and legal consultation, ARC with the whole property was taken on lease by St. Thomas Province for 99 years. Permission for a new Capuchin Ashram and De-addiction Centre for substance abuse patients was granted on 17 March 2012.