College Chapel - Principia College Historic District - Elsah, IL - NRHP Historic Districts - Contributing Buildings on Waymarking.com

In Elsah, on the campus of Principia College, is the Chapel, a contributing building to the Principia College National Historic District.

The campus is located east of the center of the village of Elsah. From the center, turn east onto Maple Street and follow the road up to the top of the bluff and to the entrance.

The Chapel is located at one end of a circular grass green, and is next to the edge of the bluff.

The building is a medium-sized structure about 2 1/2 stories tall, with a peaked roof. A bell tower protrudes from the front of the building roof, and a short steeple rises from the bell tower. The exterior is has limestone rock blocks. There are windows on both sides of he building. Inside is a style inspired by an old New England 'meetinghouse,' with box pews on the ground floor and a balcony that wraps around three sides.

The entry for this building in the nomination form for the historic district is as follows:

"2. The College Chapel (1931-1934); From the very
beginning of the planning of Principia, the student
body had requested that the Chapel be the first
building constructed, and they asked that it be
American Colonial in style. After studying meeting
houses and churches in Massachusetts and the exposed
site high on a bluff overlooking the river, Maybeck
carefully selected a design that involved the use of
steel, concrete, and Bedford Indiana limestone. The
interior of the Chapel is faced in random width boards.
Maybeck worked very closely with Frederic Morgan on the
design for this central feature, hoping to embody the
ideals of solidity and individuality. In order to
avoid the "institutional effect," Maybeck placed the
windows with uneven spacing. He often referred to the
Chapel as his favorite building at Principia.
(Contributing)"

As far as access, the entrance has a security building. My suggestion is to contact the college to arrange a visit. If you are on the Mississippi River, you might catch a glimpse of the chapel from there.

Name of Historic District (as listed on the NRHP): Principia College Link to nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com page with the Historic District: [Web Link] Address: 1 Maybeck Place Elsah, IL How did you determine the building to be a contributing structure?: Narrative found on the internet (Link provided below) Optional link to narrative or database: [Web Link] NRHP Historic District Waymark (Optional): Not listed

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