Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory has named Father Charles Byrd Jr. as a first-time pastor.

Father Byrd is to become the spiritual leader at Our Lady of the Mountains Church in Jasper. He currently serves as a parochial vicar at Christ the King Cathedral, Atlanta.

A native of Columbus, Father Byrd, 44, worked in advertising before his ordination in 2001. Raised Baptist, he became a Catholic in his late 20s. He received a bachelor’s in philosophy from St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pa., and a degree in sacred theology from the Angelicum, Rome, Italy.

After his ordination in 2001, Father Byrd served as parochial vicar at St. Andrew Church, Roswell, for two years. He then served on the faculty as director of spiritual life at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pa., for four years before his assignment at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

He is also a well-regarded singer, performing with the Atlanta Symphony Chorus in the past.

Our Lady of the Mountains in Jasper has about 555 parishioners. Father Byrd begins his new position on Jan. 15.