 principia college (commonly referred to as principia or prin) is a private liberal arts college in elsah, illinois, united states. a four-year coeducational institution, the college was founded in 1912 by mary kimball morgan, and its stated purpose is "to serve the cause of christian science."mary kimball morgan, education at the principia, the principia corporation, 2000, p. 227. according to the college, it has no affiliation with the church of christ, scientist, but "the practice of christian science is the cornerstone of campus life." students and staff are practicing christian scientists."christian science", principia college. the institution is a designated national historic landmark by the united states department of the interior and in 2009, forbes rated it 57th of america's best colleges. principia college campus sits on bluffs overlooking the mississippi river between alton and grafton. the campus is located on rural total of  acres in the metro east region of southern illinois, thirty miles north of st. louis. ==history== principia college was born out of the principia, founded by mary kimball morgan in 1897, though the name principia was not adopted until the year 1898. as morgan's school grew, found
1910_establishments_in_Illinois Buildings_and_structures_in_Jersey_County,_Illinois Christian_Science Council_of_Independent_Colleges Education_in_Jersey_County,_Illinois Educational_institutions_established_in_1910 North_Central_Association_of_Colleges_and_Schools The_Principia Universities_and_colleges_in_Illinois