Tribute to Canon Taylor
CANON Peter Taylor was born in 1927 in Warwickshire. From an early age the young Peter had decoded to become a priest.
He attended, as was the custom, Cotton College in North Staffordshire on a church scholarship. The headmaster at that time was Father Dunne, later Canon Dunne, who became parish priest at The Mount in Walsall. This, unknown to Peter, was where he would spend the majority of his priestly life.
Ordained
Peter Taylor was ordained on June 1, 1952, and went on to serve in the following parishes: Bilston, 1952-55; Perry Common, 1955-61; Dorridge, 1961-67; Kingshurst, 1967-71; The Mount, Walsall, 1971-2012.
During his long tenure in Walsall, Canon Taylor achieved many positive things for the church and the community as a whole.
After the advent of Vatican II a number of changes took place to the interior of The Mount Church. Canon Taylor, with the good will and support of the parishioners, started the process of restoration, which took a great deal of moral courage and astuteness. The Mount church was tastefully restored to what it should be – a classical Grecian-style building.
In the quest to further the cause of sainthood for Father Ignatius Spencer, Canon Taylor worked closely with Father Lodge C.P., the Postulator (the person presenting the cause to Rome).
Canon Taylor left The Mount in 2012, to a tranquil retirement after 51 years of devoted service to The Mount and the people of Walsall.
He was the only parish priest not to have died in office and has so established a record of service.
Canon Peter died on March 6, aged 92. May he Rest in Peace.