About The Celtic Cross Monument: History, Media, FAQ

Media Coverage

We will add all known articles to this listing.

Clayton Man to Erect St. Louis' First Celtic High Cross
(2002-02, Irish American Post) (local mirror)
In honor of Irish immigrants
(2002-02-15, St. Louis Review)
Granite wall would memorialize city's Irish ancestors
(2002-03-14, St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Proposed Celtic cross to honor St. Louis' Irish
(2002-03-20, West End Word)
The Irish Abroad
(2002-04-15, Irish Emigrant Newsletter)
Advertisement placed in the St. Louis Review
(2002-07-12, St. Louis Review)
St. Louis Irish to build Celtic Memorial
(August 2004, Midwest Irish Focus)
Dedication Pending
(March 2005, St. Louis Review)

History of the Celtic Cross Monument Project

According to project founder Joe McGlynn, "a group of Irish Americans, some with roots in St. Louis and some from other parts of the country, came together to establish a monument to Irish in America and particularly in St. Louis who have or are contributing to the St. Louis region through their lives, work and contributions."

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Basic Information

Q: What is the Celtic Cross Monument?
A: The monument itself is an 16.5' tall granite sculpture, which will be installed within a reflecting pool. Nearby we will create a wall, upon which we will inscribe the memorials of our Sponsor families. You can read more about the sculptor, the site, and the Cross on the Installation page.
Q: What will the Cross look like?
A: The monument will look a lot like the image at the top left corner of this page. The Installation page links to a close-up view.
Q: Where will the Celtic Cross Monument be?
A: The installation site is the church of St. John, the Apostle and Evangelist, at 15 Plaza Square in downtown St. Louis. Read more about the site on the Installation page.
Q: What purpose does the Celtic Cross Monument serve?
A: In the words of Most Reverend Justin Rigali, Archbishop of St. Louis, "[the] Cross will evoke the great contribution of so many of the Irish people to the life of the Archdiocese of St. Louis." The Celtic Cross will stand in tribute to the Irish community in St. Louis, and serves as a memorial to the great Irish families who make St. Louis their home.

Costs and Funding

Q: How much will it cost to complete the Celtic Cross?
A: Total costs are estimated at $175,000. The Cross and reflecting pool will cost approximately $110,000; the balance of the total will fund the wall where sponsors' inscriptions are displayed. Construction will begin when we have collected $100,000.
Q: How is the project getting funded?
A: We seek 500 sponsors, each paying $350. Every dollar contributed will be spent on the creation and installation of the Celtic Cross; many individuals and companies are donating time and services to the project to keep costs to a minimum.
Q: Wouldn't it be easier to get a large corporate sponsor to underwrite the entire project?
A: Perhaps, but we felt this memorial would carry more meaning if it were funded by the community it honors.
Q: How much money has been raised so far?
A: Visit the Sponsors page for up-to-date sponsorship information.
Q: Can I help?
A: Yes! Spread the word within your family, your parish, and your neighborhood. Or use our tell-a-friend form to send an email to friends online. And if you'd like to become a sponsor, visit our Contribute page.
Q: What's in it for me?
A: Sponsors can relish the fact that the Celtic Cross would not have been built without their support. Because the monument is 100% funded by its individual sponsors, the project's sponsors are integral to its completion. To celebrate the importance of each contribution, we will engrave each sponsor's name on a granite plaque on the wall at the periphery of the installation site.
Q: Are contributions tax-deductible?
A: Yes. Your contribution is made to St. John's Church, and in return we send a letter on parish stationery acknowledging receipt. You can use this letter to document the donation, as you prepare your tax returns.

Sponsoring the Celtic Cross Monument

Q: I'd like to contribute, but I am unable to spend $350. Do you accept smaller donations?
A: Yes. We accept all donations and will put every dollar collected toward the construction and installation of the memorial. Due to space limitations on the existing wall, only those donors who contribute $350 will be able to request inscriptions.
Q: Can I make a contribution in someone else's name?
A: Yes. As a sponsor, you can submit up to 30 characters for inscription on the wall. Current sponsors have memorialized their families, children, parents, heroes, pastors, etc. See the Sponsors page for examples.
Q: I'm not Irish. Can I still put my name on the wall?
A: In the immortal words of Hal Roach, there are only two types of people in this world: those who are Irish, and those who wish they were. In that spirit we will gladly accept contributions from everyone. ;-)
Seriously, anyone (Irish or not) can put their own, or anyone else's name on the wall. Many non-Irish have done so already.
Q: I am Irish, but my name is not. Can I still put my name on the wall?
A: Absolutely yes. Look at the list of sponsors we have already — some donors and some inscriptions are clearly not Irish names. You can memorialize anyone, including yourself, no matter what your name is.
Q: My family is not from St. Louis. Can I still put my name on the wall?
A: Absolutely yes. If you feel a connection to St. Louis, to the Irish, to the Catholic Church, you can and should help us build this monument.
Q: Are only deceased people being memorialized?
A: All sorts of people have already been memorialized — see the Sponsors page for a current list. Sponsors' inscriptions honor their parents, ancestors, friends, families, children, priests, parishes, and so on. There is no restriction that the inscription must name a deceased relative.

Project Status

Q: What has been done so far?
A: We have selected a site, a sculptor, and raised over 58% of the funds. For more information, see the Timeline and Status areas on the Installation page.
Q: When will construction begin?
A: As soon as we have collected $100,000 (of the $175,000 total required), we will begin construction. For more information, see the Installation page.

The People

Q: Whose idea was this?
A: The idea began with Joseph B. McGlynn, Jr., who incidentally founded the St. Patrick's Day Parade in 1969. He has wanted to create a memorial to the city's Irish families and ancestors for years, but only recently assembled a team (see next question) to determine a specific plan. By day, McGlynn is a partner in the law firm McGlynn & Luther.
Q: Who else is working on this project?
A: Monsignor Dennis Delaney - Pastor, St. John the Evangilist Church; Jon MacGoy - Architect; Joseph Shaughnesy - President, BSI Constructors; Thomas Gorman - TGI Marketing; Edward A. O'Donnell - O'Donnell Enterprises; Rev. Barnaby Faherty, SJ - Professor, Author; Patrick Donelan - President, Investment Counselors; Rev. John Johnson - Pastor, St. James the Greater Church
Q: Who is creating the Celtic Cross?
A: The Cross has been commissioned from John W. Scott of the High Cross Monument Company. For more information, see the Installation page.
Q: Who built this website?
A: This website, and its ongoing maintenance, have been donated by The Site Foundry.

The Location

Q: Why will the Cross be installed at St. John's? Why not ________ instead?
A: St. John's is currently the oldest Irish parish church in St. Louis. At one time, it was knows as "the Irish parish," according to Reverend John J. Johnson, pastor of St. John's. For additional discussion, see the Installation page.