John Lindsay first appears in Philadelphia city directories as a house carpenter in 1828 at 180 Lombard Street, although exactly a decade later he briefly changes his listing to "architect" at Eleventh Street below Lombard. The only building with which he can be associated is Thomas Ustick Walter's Fourth Presbyterian Church at Twelfth and Lombard, erected in 1841. According to The Presbyterian (12 February 1842), the building was "erected under the superintendence of Mr. John Lindsay, architect, who is the contractor. It must be admitted by all capable of forming a correct judgement on the subject, that the highest praise is due to Mr. Lindsay for the handsome and substantial manner in which he has had the work executed....all is beautiful, simple, proportionate."

Lindsay continued to list himself as a carpenter until 1852 when he appears to have changed professions. At the end of his life he was employed by the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad.

Written by Roger W. Moss.