To Pave the Way for His People - by Edward J Robinson (Paperback)

About the Book

With this biography of Preston Taylor, Edward Robinson continues his groundbreaking work on the crucial role of African American leaders and churches in the Stone-Campbell movement.

Book Synopsis

With this biography of Preston Taylor, Edward Robinson continues his groundbreaking work on the crucial role of African American leaders and churches in the Stone-Campbell movement. Robinson recounts the story of a brilliant, powerful, and flawed leader whose influence extended from Nashville to the national stage and continues even today. Taylor's organizational and business skills led to the creation of associations that gave both identity and agency to Black Disciples at a time when repressive laws and horrific prejudices made such action extremely difficult.

Review Quotes

"With this biography of Preston Taylor, Edward Robinson continues his groundbreaking work on the crucial role of African American leaders and churches in the Stone-Campbell movement. Robinson recounts the story of a brilliant, powerful, and flawed leader whose influence extended from Nashville to the national stage and continues even today. Taylor's organizational and business skills led to the creation of associations that gave both identity and agency to Black Disciples at a time when repressive laws and horrific prejudices made such action extremely difficult."

- Douglas A. Foster, Professor Emeritus of Church History, Graduate School of Theology, Abilene Christian University

"An Entrepreneur. A Pioneer. An Activist. A Disciple. Preston Taylor set the stage and standard for black church leaders of that time. His vision and life story, as captured in this work, introduces and reminds us of our rich heritage and the perseverance necessary to flourish against all odds."

- Rev. Dr. Delesslyn A. Kennebrew, Administrative Secretary of the National Convocation and Associate General Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

"Robinson's excellent biography provides a richly contextualized and deeply human Preston Taylor, revealing both his triumphs and troubles. Robinson's Taylor emerges as one of the most influential Black leaders in Middle Tennessee, whose work covered racial uplift, social reform, civil rights, and organizational leadership for Black Disciples of Christ. Robinson's academic exploration of Taylor's life, from chattel enslavement to prominent leadership, will be the starting place for research on Taylor for years to come."

- James Gorman, Professor of History, Johnson University

"The first critical religious biography of Preston Taylor, this book is a must read for students of Disciples history. Robinson offers an important corrective to the historiography of the Stone-Campbell movement by placing Taylor and the African American churches and organizations with which he worked at the center of this history rather than its margins. Historians of the turn-of-the-century Black social gospel will also find in Taylor a figure worthy of further study. This biography is a gift to the church and the academy."

- Joel A. Brown, President, Disciples of Christ Historical Society