With the retirement of Reverend Bill Leety, celebrating 15 years of warm and welcoming ministry, Overbrook Presbyterian Church enters a period of growth and development highlighted by the appointment of Reverend Alexander McDougall as its Interim Pastor.  Having previously served six central Ohio congregations as an Interim Pastor, McDougall is well versed in the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Overbrook.

Reverend McDougall, or Alex, as he prefers to be called, hails from Scotland where he was ordained and served his first church in Musselburgh.  Prior to that, he had been educated at the University of Edinburgh and the Scottish Congregational College.  During his seminary training, Alex was introduced to Ohio by attending Oberlin College where he gained urban experience while working in Cleveland.  His philosophies were further molded by modeling the French "worker priest" movement wherein priests took jobs in shops and factories to directly minister to the people there.

Returning to the US, he established himself in a job that led him to become the Chaplain and Dean of Students at Wardlaw-Hartridge Country Day and College Preparatory School in Edison, NJ, where he served for 10 years.  Alex then accepted a call to a 6 year pastorate in West Caldwell, NJ, followed by 8 years at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Poughkeepsie, NY.

In 1994 Alex found himself again in Central Ohio as Head Pastor at Dublin Presbyterian Church, where he served until 2000.  When asked to accept a new role with the Presbytery as an Interim, Alex agreed and has shared his expertise with congregations from Zanesville to Sunbury, helping them to bridge the times between the services of Head Pastor relationships.  Overbrook is blessed to embrace his skills with us.

Alex finds the "fascination of the Interim position to be exciting and refreshing" as he enters different situations and congregations.  He is well aware that churches are going through transition and facing unique yet common resolution needs.  Reverend McDougall welcomes Overbook's desire to grow in the Clintonville community.  His priorities include "the sharing in the lives of those who are committed to his charge" and "articulating the Bible through well-prepared sermons while giving reason for Faith to those who embrace the church."  Overbrook Presbyterian Church is thankful to be working with Reverend Alexander McDougall and welcomes him to our family.