Rev. Preston Taylor

Rev. Preston Taylor

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest honors Black History Month by remembering Rev. Preston Taylor, a pivotal leader in Disciples history.

Born into slavery in Louisiana in 1849, Taylor later served in the Union Infantry during the Civil War before becoming a minister, evangelist, and entrepreneur. As pastor of Gay Street Christian Church and founder of Lea Avenue Christian Church in Nashville, he made lasting contributions to both the religious and business communities.

In the 1880s, Taylor edited a section of the Christian Standard titled "Our Colored Brethren." Though the title reflected the segregation of the time, Taylor used this platform to establish his influence and advocate for African American Disciples.

His most enduring legacy came in 1917 when he organized the National Christian Missionary Convention (NCMC), which later became the National Convocation. This initiative allowed African American Disciples to maintain a relationship with the broader church while holding it accountable to its values of unity and cooperation.

Addressing the NCMC in 1917, Taylor stated: "There are not figures in the Disciples' YEARBOOK. We claimed six hundred churches, four hundred ministers . . . six schools, one with secondary education . . ." His words underscored the significant yet often unrecognized contributions of African American Disciples.

Rev. Taylor’s life embodied a commitment to unity with accountability. His efforts to foster inclusion while advocating for recognition and resources helped shape the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as we know it today.

As we reflect on his legacy this Black History Month, we are reminded of the ongoing work of racial reconciliation and the power of covenant relationships in our church and society.