Fr. Jayd Neely was born in Iowa and grew up in Oklahoma City.  He was raised Methodist, but eventually became Catholic his freshman year of college.  Fr. Neely graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1998 with a degree in Philosophy and a minor in History of Science.  Later, he spent several years with the Discalced Carmelite Friars before becoming a seminarian for the Diocese of Nashville. 

After completing his seminary studies at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Fr. Neely moved to Tennessee.   He was ordained to the priesthood in June of 2012 and was assigned as the Associate Pastor of the Cathedral of Incarnation for four years.  He began his term as Pastor of St. Mary’s Church in August of 2016.

Fr. Neely enjoys reading, watching movies, hiking, and spending time with his niece, Clover.