A rise of interest in the church architecture of medieval France, England, and Germany during the 19th century inspired the Gothic Revival, a popular style until the 1930s. Because it was used frequently in Chicago for religious buildings, examples can be found in most community areas. The campus of the University of Chicago, however, is the city's outstanding ensemble of Gothic Revival buildings. Common characteristics are:
- masonry construction
- vertical proportions
- tall pointed windows, often filled with stained glass and elaborate tracery
- carved stone ornament, including gargoyle-like heads and figures
- soaring bell towers
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Second Presbyterian Church, photo by Barbara Crane
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