The Ursuline Sisters of Toledo, Ohio Archives is dedicated to the collection and preservation of the history, spirituality and ministry of the Ursuline Sisters, in order to extend their legacy and witness to their mission in the spirit and vision of their foundress, St. Angela Merici.

The Archives of the Ursuline Sisters of Toledo, OH

4045 Indian Road

Toledo, OH 43606

419-536-9587

Archives Processor

Brandi Sharlow

bsharlow@toledosua.org

Sister Contact

Sr. Donna Frey

419-536-9587

dfrey@ursulinecenter.org

Research Questions – please contact either of the above.

Snapshot From the Past

Anna Rose Macelwane was born in Port Clinton, Ohio on July 17, 1892. She attended the public schools of Port Clinton and then went on to Bowling Green State Normal School. She taught in the County schools and then entered the Ursuline Convent in Toledo in 1921. She received her AB degree from Teachers’ College and then went on to St. Louis University and received both her Masters and PhD in Physics there. She began teaching at Rosary Cathedral, Good Shepherd, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Gerard High School, and Mary Manse College where she was head of the Science Department. She was elected to the General Council in 1949 and then was elected Mother Superior in 1955 and served in that capacity for 12 years (two terms). The Mother Superior was also the President of Mary Manse College. In that role, Mother John Baptist was instrumental in many fund raising projects and was particularly interested in overseeing the building of Lourdes Hall, the dormitory for the College. She was also instrumental in the building of St. Ursula Academy on Indian Road. After her two terms as Superior were over, she returned to Mary Manse College and taught Physics until her death on this date in 1974.

Mother John Baptist was a very intelligent person who grasped a situation quickly and dealt with the problem until it was solved. She had a sense of humor and quick wit which held her in good stead with the many business men with whom she dealt on a daily basis. In a study by a hand writing analyst the following description was noted, “She manages people and things admirably well. When she is in charge, she runs the show; when she isn’t she does not let anybody push her around too much. Anybody who tries to run her life soon finds out that ‘You do not fool with the bandwagon when you do not know the driver.’ She is remarkably quick to size up a situation and see the solution if there is a problem.” She was beloved by her Sisters in the Community and her family. Her sister, Mother Perpetua, preceded her in death. Mother John Baptist was 81 when she died.