Rev. Leroy Taylor, Quartet Pioneer, Died in January

The New Faith Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago’s south side reported that Rev. Leroy Taylor passed away January 8, 2009. Homegoing services were on January 11.

The 89 year-old Taylor was a member of the Soul Stirrers and a founding member of the Christland Singers (above). He pastored New Faith from 1973 until 1997 (fellow Stirrer and Christland Singer R.H. Harris was once chairman of the Usher Board), and remained a faithful participant in Sunday services until he fell ill in December.

Rev. Taylor will surely be missed by the family of New Faith and by Chicago’s gospel quartet community.