National Register of Historic Places

North Presbyterian Church

Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa
Listed
August 27, 1973
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
73000730

About this property

Old Brick Church, once known as First Presbyterian or North Presbyterian, is an event venue in Iowa City, Iowa. One of the few surviving pre-Civil War structures in Iowa City, Old Brick was built in 1856 at the site of an older Presbyterian church that had burned. Its steeple was demolished in an 1877 wind storm, it was rebuilt with a crenellated belfry, giving it a distinctive appearance. Last used as a church in 1970, Old Brick was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 as North Presbyterian Church. In 1974 the University of Iowa purchased the property and intended to demolish the church to make way for a parking lot, but public protest prevented the demolition. This public protest manifested in the formation of Friends of Old Brick, the organization that purchased the structure in 1977. Old Brick changed ownership again in 1987, when Old Brick Episcopal Lutheran Corporation (the current owner) purchased the building. Old Brick now thrives as an event venue and community center, hosting such diverse events as weddings, memorials, religious services, academic lectures, humanitarian fundraisers, and dance lessons. Old Brick also houses several non-profit offices.

Location

26 E. Market St.
Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa
41.66387, -91.53468

Categories

ARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Park House Hotel
Industrial
0.1 mi
Congregational Church of Iowa City
Industrial
0.1 mi
Union Brewery
Civil War
0.1 mi
Union Bakery
Civil War
0.2 mi
St. Mary's Rectory
Industrial
0.2 mi

Questions about this property

When was North Presbyterian Church listed on the National Register?

North Presbyterian Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 27, 1973.

What type of historic resource is North Presbyterian Church?

North Presbyterian Church is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for North Presbyterian Church?

The period of significance for North Presbyterian Church is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near North Presbyterian Church?

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