Old Refuge Artist: Bob Callender

"Old Refuge"

Photograph by Bob Callender
Captured just south of Big Spring, Texas at the site of a former Conoco man camp

In a time when resilience was a way of life and faith was woven into the everyday, Old Refuge stands as a testament to both. Nestled among the wide-open lands of West Texas, this humble church was built by oilfield hands at a Conoco man camp—using what they had, where they were. With drill pipe supporting the steeple and ingenuity evident in every beam, the structure tells a story of men who not only worked the land, but looked to heaven for strength.

What makes this place remarkable isn’t just its weathered beauty, but the spirit behind it. These were people who valued faith and community—who after long days on the rigs still found time to build a house of worship. They repurposed materials from their surroundings, even constructing pumpjacks—complete with horseheads—entirely from drill pipe. It was a way of life: practical, purposeful, and full of grit.

In this image, the steeple still reaches upward, weathered but standing—an enduring symbol of belief, resourcefulness, and the quiet strength of those who came before us. Old Refuge invites us to see not just what’s broken, but what was built with heart, hands, and hope.

All artwork is shipped rolled. Please call 432-699-6700 to get a price on shipping stretched canvas. This art is created with a 2" museum-wrapped canvas Giclée and is produced in a limited edition. Made from an original photograph captured by Bob Callender. This print is hand signed and numbered, by the artist. Only archival materials are used in the creation of this print, to ensure consistent quality for the life of the print.

When all Limited Editions run out, the master will be preserved for licensing and other purposes. The artist reserves all copyrights in the work of fine art this certificate accompanies. No reproductions can be made without expressed written permission of the artist.