Virtual Tour

Click on a red arrow to visit a particular section of the Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel.

Stained Glass Window Set 6

These windows are in “Memory of the Illustrious-Most Reverend John
Ireland, Chaplain of the 5th Minnesota Civil War and 1St
Archbishop of St. Paul; by CoI. James Troy, Post Chaplain
Fort Snelling 1942.”

The design in the window shows Civil War soldiers, angels and the Rev. John Ireland in his liturgical robes and was designed by Dennis O’Brian in 1943.

Rev. Ireland was born in Kilkenny County, Ireland on September 11, 1838 and in 1849, he came to the United States with his parents, where they lived in many eastern cities. He then came to St. Paul where he studied with Bishop Cretin followed by two years in France. When the Civil War started, he returned to serve his country, and on May 10 1862, he was commissioned Chaplain of the 5th Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, where he served until he had to resign due to a serious illness. He then held many offices in the Grand Army of the Republic, where he was known as a “true American, a firm believer in Democracy, the Church, and the state” which he loved so loyally. He was known as the “Patriotic Priest.” He died on September 25, 1918 after a prolonged illness.

This information was found in the book, “In Memoriam, Companion John Ireland, Chaplain USV 1918”, by Major Charles McCreery, Commander, and Captain Orion S. Clark, USV Recorder.