Welcome All.
Please Join Us.
Church of St John in the Wilderness
The Episcopal Church in Copake, NY
Sunday morning services are in person until further notice; we encourage all to be vaccinated. If not vaccinated, please wear a mask.
Sunday Worship
Eucharist at 10:00am. Watch on Facebook when we have an in-person operator.
Study Groups
Wednesdays 3:00pm
Divine reading and contemplative prayer
The church is open daily for prayer and meditation.
Please observe pandemic protocols.
Dale Peterson explains what he loves most about this very special place.
Community News
Summer of Change is the theme of the June issue of the Voice edited by Jim and Patricia Wann.
- Fr John offers a message of hope in his Thoughts from the Wilderness article.
- Senior Warden Brian Boom reviews highlights of the capital projects and provides information for donating to the Ukraine Response Relief Fund.
- Patricia and Jim Wann remind us to SAVE THE DATE for the Community Harvest Festival, which will take place on Friday, September 17.
- Lucy Eldridge and Brian Boom update us on various projects that are underway as part of the Capital Campaign.
- September’s Community Harvest Festival is taking shape. In this newsletter we get a few more details about the days’ planned activities.
- Lucy Eldridge updates us on the Father’s Day Plant and Bake Sale, as well as the Easter Egg Hunt.
Visit the newsletter page.
Artwork by Richard Peck
Community Harvest Festival
The historic Church of St. John In The Wilderness announces the 2022 Community Harvest Festival to be held Saturday, September 17, 5:00-7:30pm at its beautiful property in Copake Falls, NY. The event is open to the public and will feature food and drink, live music with Broadway Composer Jim Wann and Friends, and a silent auction. Tickets are $75 general admission and $25 for those 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased online.
“We are so excited to invite friends and neighbors to spend time with us outdoors in this beautiful setting,” said Fr. John Thompson, Rector of St. John’s (Episcopal), which was built in 1852. “Fall is a special season in Columbia County. We want to share the campus and the talents of the congregation with our neighbors as we celebrate our community.” The Church of St. John in the Wilderness is located at 261 NY-344, Copake Falls, NY.
Patricia and Jim Wann
Jim Wann, best known for “Pump Boys and Dinettes,” a Tony Nominee for Best Musical, will host a program of American Songbook Standards and Irish Traditional Music led by Robbie Haldane, a craftsman who is also creating a new accessible church entrance from local granite. “We look forward to playing and singing outdoors in mid-September” said Mr. Wann. “Robbie plays melodeon and pennywhistle, and the standards will be played on guitar and clarinet (John Myers) and upright bass (Pete Toigo). “We might throw in a rockabilly tune just for Pete.” The music is appropriate for all ages.
Dinner will be served buffet-style, and attendees can sit at tables under the big tent. Everything needed for a beautiful fall meal will be provided. Wendy Langlois and her team will be preparing the menu.
Guests will have an opportunity to bid on many silent auction items. Gift certificates to local restaurants and shops, vacations, artwork and food and wine baskets are just some of the items that are expected. Interested in contributing to the auction? Contact Patricia Wann at [email protected].
St John in the Wilderness is designed by Richard Upjohn, founding President of the American Institute of Architects in 1857, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. All proceeds from this fundraising event will help preserve the historic grounds, graveyard, rectory and church.
Rain date, Saturday September 24. For more information, contact Jim or Patricia Wann by emailing [email protected].
Capital Campaign Update
Brian Boom and Lucy Eldridge of our Capital Campaign Committee have put together a compelling brochure, Capital Campaign for St John in the Wilderness: Sustaining People, Place, and Peace, 2019-2022.
Please take a look and decide how you might contribute to the future vitality of our church.
Join Us
Church of St John in the Wilderness is located adjacent to Taconic State Park. We are on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail and a short hike from Bash-Bish Falls. Come, enjoy!
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”