Old Center Church
From the series, "The Churches of Tuscaloosa County, At Night."
Old Center Church, New Watermelon Road south of Harbour Ridge Way, Tuscaloosa, Ala., November 29, 2025.
This was the most challenging nighttime photograph 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 nighttime 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.
Historical marker:
Built of massive pine logs in 1875 [another source says 1864], 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 1971.1
An article by Mark Hughes Cobb about a restoration by Sam Wilson in 2019 includes this historical overview:2
In March 1932, storms from a horrific supercell outbreak blew the church down the ravine; community members hauled the logs back up by mule and hand, and reassembled it. The first wedding recorded there was in 1880; the last June 17, 1977. Its final regular church service was held Dec. 10, 1948.
The Story Behind “The Churches of Tuscaloosa County, At Night” Series
Please see a previous, extended essay for background on the series.
Photo (EXIF) Deets:
Camera Model: FujiFilm GFX100S
Date Time Digitized: Nov 29, 2025 at 7:58:50 PM
Exposure Time: 120 seconds
FNumber: 5.6
Focal Length: 59.7
Focal Length In 35mm Film: 47
Photographic Sensitivity (ISO): 320
Lens Make: FUJIFILM
Lens Model: GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6 WR
Altitude: 97 m (318.24 ft)
Altitude Reference: above sea level
Latitude: 33° 17’ 1.59” N
Longitude: 87° 29’ 24.888” W
© Copyright 2025 Jeremy Butler.
Historical Marker Database, https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=109186
Tuscaloosa News, https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2019/07/21/tuscaloosa-man-renovates-old-center-church/4624565007/
Great work, Jeremy!
Well done. I am really curious about the light source. Very interesting. The tonal range of the wood and door is fabulous.