“What lasting monument did Laura Aubrey leave behind?” That’s the question we’ll explore as we stand before St. John’s in the Wilderness. This isn’t just any church. It’s a testament to faith, resilience, and a touch of English aristocracy.
St. John’s in the Wilderness has roots that stretch back over 160 years. Its story begins in England with Sir John Paul’s misfortune and his son Aubrey’s subsequent move to America. Aubrey, feeling disgraced by his father’s scandal, sought a new life far from British rule.
He and his wife Laura settled in White Bear Lake. They dropped the “Paul” from their name becoming John and Laura Aubrey. They integrated into the rough frontier community. Laura, a well-educated woman from the Church of England, left an indelible mark.
Laura Aubrey became White Bear’s first teacher. She taught in her home and later in a log schoolhouse. She organized a Sunday School and church services in her home. Determined to establish an Episcopal Church, she began fundraising.
Laura secured nearly $1000 from friends in England. She organized a church raising bee, even involving the local Native Americans. The Aubreys donated land from their farm, now the Church Cemetery. Bishop Whipple dedicated the completed church on August 29, 1861. St. John’s was the first church in the White Bear area.
In 1868, John and Laura returned to England. They inherited the baronetcy upon John’s father’s death. Only then did White Bear residents learn they had been associating with titled aristocracy for a decade. Laura’s lasting monument stands here. It is St. John’s in the Wilderness Episcopal Church.
As White Bear grew after the Civil War, St. John’s moved closer to town. In 1874, the church was moved across frozen White Bear Lake to its current location. This building served the congregation until 1925.
The congregation outgrew the structure. In 1925, the old church was deconsecrated and demolished. Some timbers were used to build a summer cottage. The present church was dedicated on June 20, 1926. Items from the old church were incorporated into the new one. These included the baptismal font and the carved wooden eagle on the lectern. The church bell was also moved to the new bell tower.
By 1948, the mortgage was paid off. St. John in the Wilderness was consecrated on February 22, 1948. The building has remained debt-free since. The building included a two-story parish hall with an auditorium and a dining hall.
The post-war population boom in the 1950s necessitated expansion. In 1959, land was purchased. A fundraising drive allowed for a new parish hall, education wing, and remodeling of the old hall. The new wing was dedicated in 1961.
From 1910 to 2001, St. John in the Wilderness provided a rectory for the priest. The first rectory was across First Street from the church. A new rectory was built in 1964 near the church cemetery. In 2000, St. John contracted with Casavant Freres for a new organ.
St. John’s in the Wilderness stands as a testament to a community’s faith. It is also a symbol of one woman’s determination. Laura Aubrey’s legacy continues to resonate within these walls. Her vision shaped this church into a beacon of hope and community. As you leave today, remember the story of St. John’s. Think about the enduring power of faith and the lasting impact of one remarkable woman.