Old St. Teresa Catholic Church

Old St. Teresa Catholic Church is a brick building in downtown Albany located at 313 Residence Avenue. The walls were constructed with bricks made by workers from a plantation near Newton, Georgia, giving the structure its distinctive character.

Construction started in 1859 on land donated by Colonel Nelson Tift, and during the Civil War the unfinished building served as a hospital for soldiers. This dual purpose shows how the building adapted to the community's needs during wartime.

The church stands in a neighborhood shaped by immigrant families who settled in Albany over generations. It reflects how important Catholic faith was to these early communities.

The building sits in an easily accessible downtown location and can be viewed from the outside. Visitors should check ahead about access hours and rules since it remains an active place of worship.

An interior renovation in 1902 added new altars, pews, and stained glass windows that have survived to the present day. These Victorian elements now form the core of what visitors see inside.