Pastor of St. James at Sag Bridge from 2003 to Present

Rev Edward D. Gleeson, a man of God, has spend over 35 years of his life dedicated to Priestly ministry. After receiving his bachelor's and master's degrees from St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois he was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Cody along with the distinguished class of 1969.

Father Gleeson was the first of his class to be named a parish pastor when he was assigned to Holy Cross Church at 65th & Maryland Avenue on January 1, 1979.

Father Gleeson is a research historian who holds a master of arts degree in United States history from Middle Tennessee State university, Murfreesboro. Numerous articles in leading Civil War publications and several books on Confederate Irish have made him one of the best-recognized experts in the country on that topic.

Six of Fathers Gleeson's ancestors served in the Confederate Army of Tennessee, resulting in his long-held special interest in the War Between the States. he is a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Civil War Society, the Blue and Grey Educational Society, Patrick Cleburne Society, and the Chicago Historical Society.