The Most Reverend John Raymond Gaydos was born August 14, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri to George and Carrie Lee Gaydos. He attended St. Agnes School and Parish from 1943 - 1957. Bishop Gaydos attended St. Louis Preparatory Seminary from 1957 to 1961 and continued his studies at Cardinal Glennon College, graduating in 1965. He then traveled to Rome to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University, from which he graduated in 1969.
While in Rome, Bishop Gaydos was ordained to the priesthood on December 20, 1968 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Bishop Francis F. Reh, Rector of the North American College was the ordaining prelate.
Returning to Missouri in 1969, newly-ordained Father Gaydos became the Associate Pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Manchester, MO until 1974. From 1974 to 1977, he was the Associate Pastor at St. Cecilia's Parish in St. Louis. In 1977, he was made the Secretary to the Archbishop and Master of Ceremonies in the Archdiocese of St. Louis and served in these roles until 1990. At that time he was appointed Pastor of St. Gerard Majella Parish in Kirkwood, MO. Then on Feb. 14, 1996, he was appointed Vicar General of the St. Louis Archdiocese. His appointment as Vicar General would last just over one year. On June 25, 1997, Blessed Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City. He was installed as the Third Bishop of Jefferson City on Aug. 27, 1997.
Bishop Gaydos has served as a member on numerous United States Conference of Catholic Bishops committees. He is currently a member of the USCCB Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs committee and USCCB Subcommittee for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees for Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis.
Contact Information:
Office of the Bishop
2207 West Main St, PO Box 104900
Jefferson City, MO 65110-4900
