Old Brick Church on Beekman Street, New York City

The old Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City. Undated lithograph by Endicott based on drawing by Charles Parsons. Text on print: «Beekman St. between Park Row and Nassau St.−1855− "This is the Protestant Church that was torn down by Roman Catholics." This canard was circulated when Fernando Wood was Mayor.»

Charles R. Parsons (1821-1910) was a renowned artist, who apprenticed with George Endicott. He drawn some bird's eye views of New York City from about 1856 to 1889, and other art works, some published by Currier & Ives. In 1863, Parsons was the head of the art department of Harper’s publishing company in New York.

The Brick Church in New York City has been in operation since 1767. It was an expansion of the First Presbyterian Church at Wall Street. In the late 18th century it was called "New Presbyterian Meeting". In 1809, the Brick Church became a separate and incorporated entity as The Brick Presbyterian Church in the City of New York. A two-story brick house was erected, in 1832, in the rear for the Trustees of the Church, and extended in 1840.

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The Brick Church property on Beekman Street was sold at auction on May 14, 1856. The congregation met for the last time in the old Brick Church, on May 25th, the same year. Demolition of the temple began on March 14, 1857. The Times Building and the Park Building were erected on the site. The Church moved in 1858 to the second temple of the Brick Church built on Murray Hill, Fifth Avenue and 37th Street.