Robert Bruce Taylor, D. D

Rev. Robert Bruce Taylor, author and minister of the gospel and since 1911 pastor of St. Paul’s Presbyterian church in Montreal, was born in Cardross, Scotland, October 22, 1869. He acquired his education in Glasgow University, from which he was graduated M. A. with the class of 1890, and he afterward was a student in the Free Church College. After completing this course he entered Gottingen University and later studied Arabic at Beirut and Damascus. He was a student in three German theological schools and prepared most thoroughly for his chosen life work. After his ordination he was placed in charge of the Loudoun Free Church in Ayrshire and was transferred from there to Ferryhill, Aberdeen. His third charge was at St. John’s Wood, London, England, whence in 1911 he came to Montreal, assuming his present duties as pastor of St. Paul’s Presbyterian church. This is one of the oldest Presbyterian congregations in the city, having been organized in 1832 by Edward Black, D. D. The church was located on St. Helen’s Street until 1867, in January of which year the erection of the present edifice was begun. The church was dedicated September 27, 1868, and cost $100,000. The first pastor, Dr. Edward Black, died in May, 1845, and was succeeded by Robert McGill, who passed away in 1856. Dr. Snodgrass then had charge of the congregation until 1864 and his successor was Dr. Jenkins, who remained in charge from 1865 to 1881. Dr. Barkley did able and capable work from 1883 until 1910, being succeeded by Rev. Robert Bruce Taylor, the present incumbent. The congregation has numbered among its members such distinguished men as Lord Strathcona and Lord Mount Stephen and it numbers now eight hundred souls. Its affairs are in a flourishing and prosperous condition for Dr. Taylor administers them ably and in a way which shows him a man of excellent executive and organizing power as well as a zealous and untiring religious worker. He has organized a club of girls working in stores in the city and has also a Men’s Club, both of which organizations have been fruitful of much good.

Dr. Taylor married a daughter of Professor McKendrick, LL. D., of Glasgow, Scotland, and both are well known in social circles in Montreal. Dr. Taylor is a writer of considerable reputation and besides being the author of a book on Economics, written for the Student Christian Movement, has contributed largely to serial publications on religious and historical topics, accomplishing such able and farsighted work in the interests of his religion that he has been called “the crown jewel of a Presbyterian minister.”