Our Staff Team

Being a Presbyterian church, the spiritual aspects of our congregation are managed by a number of elected elders who are members of the Kirk Session. Anything to do with finance or fabric comes under the remit of the Deacons’ Court which is made up of elected deacons.

Rev Dr Colin Dow, Minister

Colin joined CRFC in 2003 transferring straight from seminary. He is a trained scientist holding a PhD in Solid State Chemistry. Colin loves the culture of CRFC and our desire to know God better through His Word. He lives in Knightswood in Glasgow with his wife, Kathmar and two of his four now grown-up children..

Rev Kirk van der Swaagh, Associate Minister

Prior to coming to Glasgow, Kirk pastored a church in the Greenwich Village neighbourhood of Manhattan in New York City for 35 years. A couple of visits to Scotland and a conversation with Mission to the World missionaries, planted a seed that ripened. Kirk and his wife, Barbara, joined MTW and moved to Glasgow in 2022, making CRFC their home church. They have six children, and two much-loved grandchildren. In addition to serving in our church, Kirk works with the Free Church of Scotland in support of their global support pastors. He enjoys going to plays, concerts, museums, and baseball games. For some reason, since moving to Scotland, he's having a hard time doing the latter.

Rev Nate Taylor, Associate Minister

Nate joined CRFC as an Associate Minister in September of 2021. He is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, having served at churches in St. Louis and Florida previously, and now serves in Glasgow through a partnership with Mission to the World. Nate loves teaching God's Word, grabbing a cup of coffee and getting to know people, and helping others connect the gospel to every area of life. Nate and his wife, Erin, and their three children live in Bearsden and love to explore Scotland in their free time.

Rev Duncan Murchison, Church Planter for Hope Community Church Helensburgh

Duncan moved to Helensburgh in August 2021 to lead the Hope Community Church Helensburgh, a plant from Crow Road Free Church. He moved from Portree, Isle of Skye where had been assistant minister at Portree Free Church. Duncan loves being able to connect with people and connect them with God's Word. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, eating and drinking coffee. He's married to Lydia, a solicitor, and they have one dog, Archie.

Stephen Strong, Minister-in-Training

Stephen has worshipped at CRFC since 2011 and loves the family atmosphere of the congregation. He is a Minister-in-Training at Crow Road Free Church, studying part-time at Edinburgh Theological Seminary whilst the rest of his time is spent learning the ropes of day to-day ministry both within this church and the wider presbytery. He is married to Hannah and father to Noah. He lives in the southside of the city and loves football - watching well and playing badly - In his free time.

Matthias van der Swaagh, Youth Worker

Matthias and his wife Heidi have lived in Scotland and have attended CRFC since 2017. Originally from New York, Matthias has worked as the CRFC youth worker since 2019. In this position, Heidi and Matthias oversee meetings and events for the students and young workers of CRFC, as well as being available to meet one-to-one. Matthias is a keen cyclist and is always willing to go on a ride or talk about bicycles. In addition to his work with CRFC, Matthias works as Concerts Administrator with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Heidi and Matthias live in Shawlands.

Laura Stevenson, Congregational Administrator

Laura has been Administrator since 2016 after a 20 year career in the Civil Service. She loves her work, and has the great privilege of being part of the CRFC family, whilst worshipping at another Church on Sunday mornings, thereby ensuring she gets her weekends off! The office is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, and Laura can be contacted between those hours. Laura lives in Paisley with her husband, Billy.

Walter Matheson, Facilities Manager

Walter has worshipped in CRFC for over 35 years and is currently an elder of the church. He is a retired civil servant who oversees the maintenance and health and safety of the building and manages the liaison with contractors. He lives in Bearsden with his wife Anne.
Crow Road Free Church is a congregation of the Free Church of Scotland, and is a Scottish Charity, SC009980, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)