Noel Calvin Taylor (July 15, 1924 – October 29, 1999) was the
mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well ...
of
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke ( ) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 100,011, making it the 8th most populous city in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the largest city in Virginia west of Richmond. It is ...
from 1975 to 1992. An African American leader who helped facilitate Roanoke's peaceful desegregation in the late 1960s, Taylor was widely considered one of the most influential political and civic leaders in the city's history.
Taylor was pastor of the historic High Street Baptist Church in Roanoke's northwest neighborhood from 1961 until his death in 1999.
Early life, education, family
Taylor was born on July 15, 1924, in
Moneta, Virginia
Moneta is a census-designated place in Bedford County, Virginia, United States. The community is located along Route 122 between the towns of Bedford and Rocky Mount.
History
Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church and the Holland-Duncan Hous ...
.
Taylor attended the historically black college and university
Bluefield State College
Bluefield State University (Bluefield State) is a university in Bluefield, West Virginia that is an historically black university. It is a part of West Virginia's public education system and converted to a university in the summer of 2022. It a ...
, graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science with honors. He also attended Virginia Seminary and College, graduating in 1955 with a Masters of Divinity and a in 1959 with a Doctors of Divinity. In 1963, Taylor earned a Master of Arts in Religious Education from
New York University
New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then- Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin.
In 1832, th ...
.
Education, Ministerial Career
After graduating from
Bluefield State College
Bluefield State University (Bluefield State) is a university in Bluefield, West Virginia that is an historically black university. It is a part of West Virginia's public education system and converted to a university in the summer of 2022. It a ...
in 1949, Taylor became a teacher in the
Bedford County, Virginia
Bedford County is a United States county located in the Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its county seat is the town of Bedford, which was an independent city from 1968 until rejoining the county in 2013.
Bedford County was ...
Public School. Between 1950 and 1952, Taylor served as an elementary school principal.
In 1950, Taylor became an ordained Baptist Church Pastor. He pastored several churches: First Baptist Church -
Clifton Forge, Virginia
Clifton Forge is a town in Alleghany County, Virginia, United States which is part of the greater Roanoke Region. The population was 3,555 at the 2020 census. The Jackson River flows through the town, which as a result was once known as Ja ...
in 1954; First Baptist Church (Berkley) in
Norfolk, Virginia between 1955 and 1958; and High Street Baptist Church in
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke ( ) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 100,011, making it the 8th most populous city in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the largest city in Virginia west of Richmond. It is ...
between 1958 and 1961.
Political, Mayoral Career
In 1970, Taylor became the first African American elected to
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke ( ) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 100,011, making it the 8th most populous city in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the largest city in Virginia west of Richmond. It is ...
's City Council. He served as vice-mayor between 1974 and 1975. In 1975, he was appointed Mayor to complete the term of
Roy L. Webber who died while in office. In 1976, Taylor became the first African American elected as mayor of
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke ( ) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 100,011, making it the 8th most populous city in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the largest city in Virginia west of Richmond. It is ...
. He served as mayor from 1976 to 1992. He was a member of the
Republican Party.
He was widely considered one of the most influential leaders in the city's history. During his mayoral term, he oversaw downtown Roanoke's revitalization and the inaugural development of
Valley View Mall.
Civic Leadership
Taylor served on the board of directors of the
First National Exchange Bank, the Virginia Board of directors of the
American Red Cross, the board of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield - Southwestern Virginia, the board of Baptist Children's Home, the board of the Blue Ridge Mountains Council - Boy Scouts of America. He was also a member of the Virginia Coal Research and Development Advisory Council.
Death
Taylor died on October 29, 1999, in
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke ( ) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 100,011, making it the 8th most populous city in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the largest city in Virginia west of Richmond. It is ...
. He was interred in southern Bedford County.
[The Roanoker. "Celebrity Cemeteries." Rebecca Jackson." https://theroanoker.com/magazine/features/celebrity-cemeteries/]
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Taylor, Noel C.
1924 births
1999 deaths
Mayors of Roanoke, Virginia
African-American mayors in Virginia
Virginia Republicans
20th-century American politicians
Baptists from Virginia
20th-century African-American politicians
20th-century Baptist ministers from the United States