The Reverend Dr. Martha C. Taylor is a long time member of Allen Temple and serves as the Church Historian. The mission of this ministry is to research, gather and chronicle the history of the church through oral and written narratives to preserve the Church’s heritage and history for future generations. She is also the national historian for the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. and serves as a member of the President’s Executive Staff. She is dually ordained American Baptist and Presbyterian.
Dr. Taylor’s ministry extends into the community as she serves on numerous boards including, chaplain for Black Women Organized for Political Action, member of the Oakland Police Chief’s advisory board. National Negro Council of Negro Women, Delta Theta Sorority, and is active with Black Elected Officials and Faith Based Leaders of the East Bay. However, Dr. Taylor’s true passion is preaching, teaching mentoring and ministering to the sick and bereaved.
Dr. Taylor’s doctoral dissertation titled “Pastoral Leadership Training and Mentoring African American Baptist Clergywomen” has been used as a model for helping both men and women to better understand how to discern God’s call to ministry and also wrote a manual for Minister’s in Training for Allen Temple. Dr. Taylor held the position as the Assistant to the Pastor where she worked directly for Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr., for ten years, prior to his retirement with an emphasis on Church administration and oversight of the office of the pastor.
Dr. Taylor holds a Master in Public Administration; Cum Laude Honors, University of San Francisco; Master in Divinity, American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley and Doctor of Ministry from the San Francisco Theological Seminary, San Anselmo. She served as an adjunct professor for seven years in the Doctor of Ministry Program. Dr. Taylor has done international missionary work in Lusaka Zambia; Pretoria, South Africa, and in 2014, was the spiritual guide in the Holy Land for a group of persons locally and nationally. Dr. Taylor appeared for over ten years in Who’s Who Among Black Americans for her distinguished work in mass transportation.
Dr. Taylor’s recently released book From Labor to Reward, Black Church Beginnings in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond, 1849-1972 is an epic history book that tells the story of how early pioneer faced severe racism, and struggles in the Bay Area; through God’s power, built a strong religious community.
Dr. Taylor has a great love for God’s people as displayed by her compassion and encouragement to others. Dr. Taylor is the mother of two wonderful daughters, Valerie and Debra, and the proud grandmother of Brandon, Brittany, Taylor and Teralynn.
