Clergy & Staff

Clergy

The Rev. John Zahl

Rector

St. Matthew’s Church welcomed Rev. Zahl as its thirteenth rector in fall, 2018. At the 2020 Convention of the Diocese of New York, he was also elected a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese. Most recently, he served on the Committee to Elect a Bishop of the Diocese of New York. Before coming to St. Matthew’s, he served for six years as Canon Missioner at Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston, SC. He was ordained in 2007, and served his curacy at Church of the Holy Cross, Sullivan's Island, SC.

John is a graduate of Kenyon College, holds a Master of Divinity degree from Oxford University and is completing work toward the Doctor of Divinity in Preaching degree from Sewanee University.

The son of an Episcopal minister, John grew up at Grace Church, Manhattan, and has also lived in Westchester, Charleston, Zurich (CH), Surrey (UK), Birmingham, AL and Brooklyn. He is married to Sara Elizabeth, a photographer, and they have a daughter Daphne, a beloved pug Oscar, and two guinea pigs.

The author of two books (Sermons of Grace and Grace in Addiction), John regularly contributes to Mockingbird Ministries (mbird.com), participates in a series of podcasts by the Zahl Brothers on the "God Business, " and also moonlights occasionally as a DJ and collector of obscure disco records.

The Rev. Drew Courtright

Associate Rector

Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, Drew grew up loving church, sports, and music. After high school at the North Carolina School of Science and Math, Drew dove deeper into his faith and studied Theology and Biblical Studies at the University of St Andrews (Scotland) where he also played on the ultimate frisbee team and discovered a love of tea.

After St Andrews, Drew served as the Youth Minister at Christ Church, Charlotte before joining his wife, Alice, at Sewanee for seminary. After seminary, they moved to New Hampshire where Drew served as Curate at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Concord, NH.

The Courtrights enjoy life with their three young daughters and playful dog, and can often be found outside or reading books. Drew is passionate about sharing God’s love through Word and Sacrament, deep conversation, and laughing a lot. And he is delighted to be serving the St. Matthew’s community!

Anthony Newman

Music Director

We are most fortunate to have as our Music Director Anthony Newman, who is a world-renowned organist and harpsichord player. As keyboardist, he has performed more than sixty times at Lincoln Center in New York, and has collaborated with many of the greats of music. As conductor, he has worked with the greats of chamber music orchestras: St. Paul Chamber, LA Chamber, Budapest Chamber, Scottish Chamber, and the 92nd St. Y Chamber Orchestras. Larger symphonic groups include: Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, Calgary, Denver, and New York Philharmonic Orchestras. As a composer, his output includes 4 symphonies, 4 concerti, 3 large choral works, 2 operas: Nicole, and Massacre (in collaboration with Charles Flowers), 3 CDs of piano music, and a large assortment of chamber, organ and guitar works.