History

History > Our Pastors > William Mackergo Taylor

William Mackergo Taylor
The Third Pastor, 1872-1892

The first ten years of William Taylor's ministry at Broadway Tabernacle were notable for three major developments: the advance in the rights of women; the improvement in the Tabernacle's financial affairs; and the momentum the church provided to advance mission work in the city.

As early as 1871 - a period when churches throughout New York City were being encouraged to facilitate the establishment of separate societies for their women members - laywomen of Broadway Tabernacle were admitted as voters in the Tabernacle Society, the body which governed business affairs of the church.

Under Dr. Taylor's leadership, the Tabernacle managed to eliminate all debts incurred with the expansion of the church's facilities. About this time, the Tabernacle established the Bethany Church as a mission project on 35 Street and Tenth Avenue. Bethany was completely equipped for Sunday School activities and a wide range of programs for families in need of social services. This program was sustained through the late 1920s. Dr. Taylor also committed himself to aiding the denomination in establishing more than 50 mission churches throughout the Mid- and Far West.

Dr. Taylor was internationally acknowledged as one of the great preachers of his day. His sermons were published in England as well as the United States and found a large and receptive audience. He was in constant demand as a speaker as well as a board member by many religious and social agencies. In January 1876 he was invited to preach to a large gathering of Princeton University students. His remarks were so stirring that they were credited with stimulating the development of the Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions.

By the time Dr. Taylor's pastorate ended in 1892, the church's membership had increased by 1,200 persons - the greatest growth period in the Tabernacle's history.

Henry Albert Stimson, Our Fourth Pastor