Reverend Dr. Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr., is a native of Albany, New York. Having been born into a Christian home and family of musicians (his mother, paternal grandmother, and maternal great-grandmother), by the age of six it was obvious that he too, was gifted with the ministry of music. Five generations of Pastor Taylor’s family were faithful members in the fellowship of the historic Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, where he joined and was baptized at the age of seven under the pastorate of the late Reverend Dr. Moses Scipio Hunter.

Pastor Taylor was educated in the Albany Public School system. In 1982 he would graduate from Albany High School with the Harriett Sacca Award for Musical Excellence.  Three years later, he went on to graduate from Albany Business College with a degree in Marketing Management and Business Administration. In May 2015 Pastor Taylor was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree from the All Christian Bible College of Long Island, New York.

As a result of his faithfulness to Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Taylor was ordained a Deacon in December 1985. Later, he would be elevated to the position of Chairman of the Board of Deacons, a position he held for nine years. Worthy of note, to this day he is the youngest person appointed to the position in the church’s 128-year history. He would go on to lead Morning Star during a season when they were without a pastor. It was under his leadership that the church’s $1.5 million building renovation and addition was completed. Pastor Taylor accepted God’s call to the Gospel Ministry in June 2005 and preached his initial sermon Sunday, October 16, 2005.  By unanimous vote of the membership of the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Taylor was licensed into Gospel Ministry. 

On May 7, 2006, Pastor Taylor joined the fellowship of the Shiloh Baptist Church (Hudson, New York) and was faithfully engaged in ministry serving in the following capacities: Associate Minister, Executive Minister to the Pastor, Youth Minister, and Minister of Music. On February 6, 2010, Pastor Taylor was catechized by the Central Hudson Baptist Association of New York, Inc. and was duly recommended for ordination to the Gospel Ministry which took place on Saturday, March 6, 2010.  By unanimous vote of the membership of the Shiloh Baptist Church, Pastor Taylor was duly ordained.  As ordained by God, and carried out by man, on Monday, March 22, 2010, the membership of the Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church (Albany, New York) elected the Reverend Dr. Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. as their seventh pastor.   

Throughout the greater Capital District region, Pastor Taylor is well known and highly respected as one who is actively pursuing ministerial excellence.  Not only is he a pastor, preacher, and teacher, but also a well noted musician who instructs sacred and African American religious music studies. He also facilitates church leadership and music ministry workshops on a regular basis. 

Pastor Taylor demonstrated exemplary leadership of service to the Hudson River Frontier Missionary Baptist Association serving as: President of the Young People’s Department, President of the Sunday School and BTU Congress of Christian Education, Director of Music, and Director of Finance. In 2013 he was elected Moderator and held the position for three years.   Pastor Taylor served the Central Hudson Baptist Association of New York, Inc. as Director of Music, and Vice President of the Congress of Christian Education.

For 20 years Pastor Taylor served as the Director of Music for the Capital District Tri Cities Revival and appointed its Coordinator in 2019. During an interview Pastor Taylor stated, “I have gained so much from the community, and I strongly believe in giving back to the community.”  To that end, in June 2015, Pastor Taylor accepted the appointment of African American Chaplain of the Albany Fire Department from the mayor of the city of Albany. He was the first to hold that title in the department’s more than 150-year history.  In addition to his extensive community service, Pastor Taylor is an advocate for youth in the community and is well-known and respected in the Albany City Court System for providing community service opportunities for youth.

Other notable accomplishments include faithfully serving the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention of New York, Inc. for more than 38 years. During that period, he would hold the positions of Director of Music, President of the Young People’s Auxiliary, Director General of the Congress of Christian Education, General Secretary for the Convention, and in 2017 elevated to Vice President at Large.

Pastor Taylor’s achievements were not only in Ministry but also in his professional life. On March 21, 2019, Pastor Taylor retired after 36 years of service with the State of New York as the Affirmative Action Administrator for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the Department of Taxation and Finance. Prior to that, he held the same position with the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (NYSHESC) for nine years. 

For the past 13 years, Pastor Taylor faithfully leads the disciples of Sweet Pilgrim with vision, love, and integrity.  In addition to a variety of church ministries (e.g., outreach and community endeavors, community prayer ministry, and the hot meal program that feeds over 100 people weekly), he is presently leading the congregation in their Vision Project. The Vision Project will expand Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church’s 146-year-old historic landmark building by developing an adjacent vacant lot. The project will include an elevator (making the sanctuary handicap accessible), classrooms, and other facilities to better serve members, visitors, and the local community alike.

Reverend Dr. Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. now celebrates 44 years in ministry, but of the many accomplishments accredited to Pastor Taylor, by the grace of God, nothing exceeds the blessing of his family.  Pastor Taylor is the husband of Lady Stacy E. Taylor; proud parents of Elgin II.  Pastor Taylor lives by and believes as he often quotes: “I have full confidence that all things will work together for my good, because I love God and I’m called, according to His purpose. What God ordains He will maintain.”