It has long been a goal of mine to capture the Old Stone Church during the autumn season. I’ve attempted it in the past with little success—or, rather, the drama and colors I hoped for never materialized. West Boylston is about an hour and a half away from me, making the trip a bit challenging, especially since a sunset visit means sitting in rush-hour traffic through the southwest of Boston. This time, however, we were determined. Watching the foliage around our hometown gave us the perfect cue for timing—the colors were just right—and the forecast promised some interesting clouds.

The Old Stone Church, built in 1892, stands as a striking ruin after being destroyed by fire in 1938. Its walls and iconic bell tower remain, overlooking the scenic Wachusett Reservoir. Though no longer active as a place of worship, the church has become a local landmark, drawing photographers and visitors who are drawn to its historic charm and dramatic setting.

Seeing the Old Stone Church from New Perspectives

Once we arrived, it was clear almost every photographer in the area had the same idea. That gave us hope; a large crowd often signals that Mother Nature is about to put on a good show. And sure enough, she did. We launched the drone first, hoping to capture shots that would stand out. Even with unique compositions and post-processing, many photos here tend to look similar, so the aerial perspective helped differentiate ours.

From the ground, the warm autumn light highlighted the textures of the old stone walls. The trees surrounding the church glowed in shades of gold and amber. The sun slowly dipped toward the horizon, casting a soft, golden haze across the scene. Between the changing light, vibrant foliage, and scattered clouds, every moment offered a new composition worth capturing.

By the time we packed up, the Old Stone Church showed off autumn at its peak. The lights illuminating the large flag hanging from the walls came on, creating a new scene but also signaling that it was time to go. It’s a place that feels timeless, and experiencing it in the glow of an autumn sunset made the long drive more than worth it.