LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Pastor Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. for
five years of devoted service to the Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist
Church

WHEREAS, The spiritual guidance and nurturing of the citizens of the
State of New York is of great importance to the vitality and well-being
of our communities; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to those men and women of religious commitment
who accept the responsibility of moral leadership and render the wisdom
of human understanding; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Pastor Elgin Joseph Taylor Sr. for five years of devoted service to the
Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, to be celebrated on Sunday,
April 26, 2015, in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, A native of Albany, New York, Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. was
born to Joseph M. Taylor and the late Dematress L. Gaillard-Taylor; he
was raised in a Christian home and into a family of musicians; and
WHEREAS, Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. graduated from Albany High School in
1982, during which time he received the Harriett Sacca Award for Music
Excellence; he went on to earn a degree in Marketing and Business Admin-
istration from Albany Business College in 1985, the same year he was
ordained as a Deacon; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. has faithfully served as the
Minister of the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Albany for 22
years; his first charge in music ministry began in 1977, as an Assistant
to the Minister of Music; and
WHEREAS, Renowned in the Capital District Region for his active
pursuit of musical excellence, Pastor Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. instructs
sacred and African-American religious music, and facilitates numerous
music ministry workshops; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed man has served as a lecturer and presenter at
the Christian Education Institute of the Hudson River Frontier Mission-
ary Baptist Association, the Central Hudson Baptist Association, and the
Empire Baptist Missionary Convention, Inc., as well as many churches
throughout New York State; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his music ministry at Morning Star, for the
past 28 years, Pastor Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. has served as Director of
Music of the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention of New York State,
Inc., where he also currently serves as General Recording Secretary and
Executive Assistant to the President; and
WHEREAS, Active within the community he so ably serves, Pastor Elgin
Joseph Taylor, Sr. gives tirelessly of his time and energy to the Hudson
River Frontier Missionary Baptist Association and the Central Hudson
Missionary Baptist Association; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. has been the proud recipient
of countless awards and accolades some of which include, the Citizen's
Award from the MC Lawton Civic and Cultural Club and Alpha Chi Omega Chi
Club, the NAACP Outstanding Community Service Award and Medal, and list-
ed in the "Who's Who Among American Men"; and
WHEREAS, Accepting his call to the Gospel Ministry in June of 2005,
Pastor Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. preached his initial sermon entitled,
"Where are the Worshippers", on Sunday, October 16, 2005; he joined the
fellowship of Shiloh Baptist Church of Hudson, New York in May of 2006,
serving as Associate Minister/Executive Minister to the Pastor and the
Minister of Music; and

WHEREAS, On February 6, 2010, Pastor Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. was
catechized by the Central Hudson Baptist Association of New York, Inc.,
during which time he was recommended and ordained to the Gospel Minis-
try; and
WHEREAS, Pastor Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. has led the Sweet Pilgrim
Missionary Baptist Church in a spirit of excellence for the past five
years; under his able leadership, many initiatives have been instituted
and the church has experienced major growth; 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, Singular in distinction is Pastor Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr.,
whose service to his church and his people, and his involvement in his
community mirror a commitment of compelling dimension; 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 Pastor Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. for five years of devoted
service to the Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Pastor Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr.