Shaw Paterson

Shaw James Paterson (born 13 September 1964) is a minister of the Church of Scotland, serving as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 18 May 2024 – May 2025

Early life and education Shaw was born in on 3 September 1964 at Bellshill, the youngest of three boys born to James (Jim) and Anne Paterson. He was brought up in Holytown in North Lanarkshire.

From an early age, church was a regular part of his life. A forebear of his, a master stonemason, was part of the team which constructed the Church of Scotland Parish Church in Holytown. In the church he was brought up in, his father served as an elder and a leader within the Boys' Brigade company.

During his schooling days at Bellshill Academy, Shaw was not encouraged to attend university - partially as a result of his accent - despite a passion for science. Instead, he was expected to become a bricklayer. However, after some encouragement from his dad, Shaw became a science student at Glasgow University, graduating with the first of four degrees he would complete - including a later doctorate. His degree was in biology, namely in plant physiology. Through university, he supported his income through taking on a number of different jobs, including as a tiler.

Shortly after his probationary year, he was called to be minister at Strathaven: Rankin linked with Chapelton. He was ordained to the charge on 29 August 1991.

As part of his year of being Moderator, he preached at St Giles Cathedral on the Sunday during General Assembly Week, which happened to be Pentecost. The service was attended by that year's Lord High Commissioner, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh. The theme of his year of serving as Moderator is 'Building Together.'

In 2024 he visited Malawi helping to celebrate the centenary of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. He visited Thondwe in Malawi to open a replaced bridge funded by the twinned Scottish community of Innerleithen, Traquair and Walkerburn.

Family life Paterson has been married to Christine since 4 September 1987. Christine is a senior member of the community nursing team. They were married at the University of Glasgow Memorial Chapel. They have been together since they were 14 years old. He is a father of three children.