Ancilla’s 100th Year – Part 2
This is the second in a series of articles about the Ancilla Mother House’s 100th anniversary. Ancilla has been an important part of Marshall County history. There will be a special service and celebration on May 21st at the Mother House. Save the date!
The first American-born Provincial of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, Sister Therese Kellerman, was appointed in 1932. It was during this era that the PHJC ministries in education, healthcare and care for children and seniors expanded in Marshall County and surrounding communities.
Ancilla Domini College, which flourishes today as Marian University’s Ancilla College, became a reality due to Sister Symphoria Miller’s unrelenting efforts to secure funding and ensure a place for Sisters to begin earning their degrees. No longer were the Sisters a mystery to members of their community, because they moved out into the world after finishing their degrees, some of which required them to continue on at a four-year university. They distinguished themselves as teachers in local Catholic schools, such as Saint Mary School in Donaldson, Saint Bavo, Saint Joseph and Saint Monica in Mishawaka. The sisters also worked as nurses and hospital administrators as well as a community of caring for anyone in need.
In 1937, Ancilla College received recognition as a two-year, teacher-training college from the Indiana Department of Public Instruction Teacher Licensing Board. Ancilla College also established partnerships with nursing schools at Saint Anne Hospital, Chicago, and Saint Joseph Hospital, Mishawaka, allowing student nurses to complete their degrees through agreement with Loyola University, Chicago and with the American College of Surgeons and later the American Medical Association in Mishawaka. In 1967, they opened their doors to members of the public, offering associates degrees to commuter students throughout the area. 2015 and 2016 saw the construction of the first of two dormitories and Zirkle Commons Student Center, and in 2021, Ancilla College became Marian University Ancilla College through a partnership with Marian University of Indianapolis.
Hospitals closest to Marshall County from 1942-1962 included Saint Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka, founded by the Poor Handmaids in 1910, and Holy Family Hospital in Laporte, founded in 1900. Both relied on PHJC Sisters for staffing the hospitals and supervising the nursing teams. That ministry continues today as Saint Joseph Region Medical Center in Mishawaka and Plymouth. Rapid care for workers was impossible if no hospital was close enough for rapid response times. Holy Family Hospital in Laporte began when five Sisters opened it in 1900, again to serve a rapidly expanding population. They ministered there for the next 66 years until the hospital’s merger with another regional facility.
During these decades, the Sisters care of the Earth was at the forefront of their endeavors. They began a poultry farm, which operated from 1918-1990 as a way to produce healthy, local food for the Sisters and coworkers. It soon expanded into selling sustainably-raised eggs and poultry to PHJC-RUN hospitals and to the community.
Long-time coworker Mike Falkowski, who retired from the Facilities and Grounds department in 2018, began his 46-year career with the Sisters as a delivery driver for the farm. Coworker Freida Conn, Environmental Services Manager, also began her career there and served until its closing in 1990. Ancilla Beef and Grain Farm flourishes today, as do the campus greenhouses and Dietary Services team, who grow, harvest and prepare fresh, nutritious meals from the bounty produced on-site for the Sisters, residents, coworkers and guests to enjoy.
First American-born PHJC Provincial
1932
First American-born Sister was appointed Provincial of the American Province, - Mother Therese Kellerman.
Ancilla College
Aug 1, 1937
Donaldson, Indiana
The Indiana State Board of Education independently accredited Ancilla College in 1937. It’s now known as Marian University Ancilla College.
Originally, Ancilla provided two-year degrees to women entering the Poor Handmaids order through a charter granted by Depaul University of Chicago in 1925.
Ancilla College also established partnerships with nursing schools at Saint Anne Hospital, Chicago, and Saint Joseph Hospital, Mishawaka, allowing student nurses to complete their degrees through agreement with Loyola University, Chicago, and with the American College of Surgeons and later the American Medical Association in Mishawaka.
St. Bavo School
Mishawaka, Indiana
PHJC served 1913-2011
Sister Anne Fox, PHJC, began the first Special Education program at St. Bavo in 1962. She believed that early learning and physical movement were linked, so she combined movement and exercise into the curriculum.
St. Monica School
Mishawaka, Indiana
PHJC served 1916-2011
Twelve young ladies from St. Monica became Poor Handmaids, including Sisters Roberta Christianson, Jean Christianson, Judith Diltz, Joyce Diltz, Mary Ellen Goeller, Veronica Michalski and Mary Joan Trippel.
Poultry Farm
Donaldson, Indiana
1918-1990
The Sisters began a poultry farm, which operated from 1918-1990 as a way to produce healthy, local food for the Sisters and coworkers. It soon expanded into selling sustainably-raised eggs and poultry to PHJC-RUN hospitals and to the community.