Old Center Church

by Jeremy Butler

Title

Old Center Church

Artist

Jeremy Butler

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photography

Description

Old Center Church is one of the oldest churches in Tuscaloosa County. Its historical marker reads:

"Built of massive pine logs in 1875, this church has been an active house of worship, and center of community, civic activities and education for more than a century. Restored on the original site in 1971."

Additionally, Sam Wilson restored the structure in 2019.

This was the most challenging nighttime church I’ve shot. There was virtually no light on the church—not a streetlight, nothing. I’m not even sure where the light in the final image came from! With the naked eye, I could not see any illumination. And I used the longest exposure I’ve ever employed for a church photograph: 120 seconds.

Focusing was particularly tricky in the dark. Eventually, I realized I could aim my car’s headlights at the building, set the focus, and then turn the headlights off before tripping the shutter release.

New Watermelon Road south of Harbour Ridge Way; Latitude: 33° 17’ 1.59” N, Longitude: 87° 29’ 24.888” W, Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Copyright 2025 Jeremy Butler

Uploaded

December 14th, 2025

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