Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Michigan, 1999. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 278-295).

East Central Indiana's Gas Boom began when natural gas was discovered in 1886 and lasted until 1906 when the supply fell too short to meet the demand. The resource brought magnificent wealth to the region, as industries developed in the area and drew thousands of workers. The incredible population growth resulted in a building boom, creating new churches, houses, industrial buildings, and civic buildings. Although the resource ran out and many towns quickly decreased in population, the buildings remained as a testament to the Gas Boom years. Several styles of architecture were popular during this period, and for churches the predominant styles were Gothic Revival and Romanesque Revival. Using a sample of Gothic Revival and Romanesque Revival churches located across the nation as models, this thesis studies the Gas Boom churches of Alexandria, Elwood, and Hartford City to determine if they represented the national trends in church architecture during this period. / Department of Architecture