Post Office at Nassau Street, Old Dutch Church

The old Post Office, established in the premises that formerly housed the Middle Dutch Church on the city block bounded by Liberty Street (tower side), Nassau St. (lateral) and Cedar Street (rear and box delivery side). Hand-colored engraving and published by Nathaniel Currier (1813-1888), based on an older drawing by Christian Mayr (1805-1851). Source: New York Public Library.

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This temple was completed in 1731 for the New Dutch Church (later renamed Middle Dutch Church) and the last service was held on August 11, 1844. The congregation moved uptown. In the same month, the Postmaster General completed arrangements for the occupation of the old temple for a post-office. It was leased for seven years and altered for that purpose in the same year. The new post office opened in this premises on February 1, 1845. The U.S. government bought the property in October 1860 (the deed was recorded in 1866).

Construction of a new Post Office in the City Hall Park began in 1869. The new building began to be occupied in 1875, before it was completed.

The bill authorizing the sale of the old Post Office at Nassau Street was approved in July 1882 and the site was sold on October 18. The building was being demolished in November. The site is now occupied by the 60-story skyscraper 28 Liberty Street, formerly known as One Chase Manhattan Plaza, completed in 1961.