Senate Resolution No. 3320
BY: Senator BRESLIN
COMMENDING The Reverend Dr. Elgin J. Taylor, Sr.
upon the occasion of his 10th Pastoral Anniversary
at Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church in Albany, New York
WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life
in this noble Empire State is nourished and fulfilled through the
faithful concern and selfless devotion of those who would commit their
energies and purpose to the ministry of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish
themselves and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and
preeminence of service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend The
Reverend Dr. Elgin J. Taylor, Sr. upon the occasion of his 10th Pastoral
Anniversary; his official anniversary was on March 22, 2020; and
WHEREAS, A native of Albany, New York, Reverend Dr. Elgin Joseph
Taylor, Sr. was born into a Christian home as well as into a family of
Church musicians; at the young age of six, he was likewise gifted with
the ministry of music as was his mother, grandmother and
great-grandmother; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Elgin Taylor, Sr. received his formal education in
the Albany Public School, graduating from Albany High School, Class of
1982, with the Harriett Sacca Award for Music Excellence; and
WHEREAS, He then earned a degree in Marketing and Business
Administration from Albany Business College in 1985; in May of 2015, he
received a Doctor of Divinity degree from All Christian Bible College of
Long Island, New York; and
WHEREAS, For 36 years, Reverend Dr. Elgin J. Taylor, Sr. was
employed by the State of New York; he retired March 21, 2019, as the
Affirmative Action Administrator for the Office of Diversity and
Affirmation Action at NYS Department of Taxation and Finance; and
WHEREAS, Six generations of his family were dedicated to the
fellowship of the historic Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, where
he joined and was baptized at the age of seven; in December of 1985, he
was ordained a Deacon and was elevated to serve as Chairman of the Board
of Deacons for nine years; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the Capital District, Reverend Dr. Elgin J.
Taylor, Sr. not only instructs sacred and African-American religious
music studies but has facilitated numerous music ministry workshops; and
WHEREAS, This year marks his 40th year in music ministry; for the
past 35 years, Reverend Dr. Elgin J. Taylor, Sr. served the Empire
Baptist Missionary Convention of New York, Inc. in various capacities,
including: Director of Music, President of the Young People's
Auxiliary, Director General of the Congress of Christian Education,
General Secretary of the Convention, and in 2017, he was elevated to
serve as the Convention's Vice President at Large; and
WHEREAS, He has been actively involved in the Hudson River Frontier
Missionary Baptist Association, where among many offices such as
President of the young People's Department, President of the Sunday
School and BTU Congress and Director of Music, he was elevated to the
position of Moderator, serving from 2013-2016; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Elgin J. Taylor, Sr. also served the Central
Hudson Baptist Association as Director of Music and Vice President of
the Congress of a Christian Education; and
WHEREAS, In June of 2015, Reverend Dr. Elgin J. Taylor, Sr. was
appointed as the first African American Chaplain of the Albany Fire
Department in their 148 years of existence; and
WHEREAS, He accepted his call to the Gospel Ministry in June of 2005
and preached his initial sermon on Sunday, October 16, 2005; by
unanimous vote to the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Reverend
Dr. Elgin J. Taylor, Sr. was licensed to the Gospel Ministry; and
WHEREAS, On May 7, 2006, he joined the fellowship of the Shiloh
Baptist Church of Hudson, New York, and was actively engaged in
ministry, serving as Associate Minister, Executive Minister to the
Pastor and Minister of Music; and
WHEREAS, On February 6, 2010, Reverend Dr. Elgin J. Taylor, Sr. was
catechized by the Central Hudson Baptist Association of New York, Inc.,
and was recommended for ordination to the Gospel Ministry; and
WHEREAS, It was on Monday, March 22, 2010, the membership of the
Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church of Albany, New York, elected
Reverend Dr. Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. as their 7th pastor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his son, Elgin Joseph Taylor
II, who feels privileged to be a part of his life and rejoices in his
achievements; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. has brought to his
ministry an overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from
vision and enlightenment in conducting his administrative and spiritual
duties, while always displaying the highest standards of personal and
professional integrity and dedication; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given
enlightenment, guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and
has administered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and
corporal needs of all; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that
individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Reverend Dr. Elgin J. Taylor, Sr. upon the occasion of his
10th Pastoral Anniversary at Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church in Albany, New
York, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith and his exemplary
service to God, man, and his community, and extending to him the
heartfelt best wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of
purposeful success and well-being; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend Dr. Elgin J. Taylor, Sr.