In July 1974, Parkway Baptist Church Auburn established their church library with the help of funds from a man named Charles Isbell. With the creation of the library, a need for a librarian arose and charter member Virginia Taylor was voted in to fill the post.
Fifty years later, 94-year-old Taylor is still the librarian, and the facility was named in her honor in 2003.
“We started off with about 300 books,” she recalled. “As people used them, we ordered more, and at this point, we have about 5,800 items catalogued. … We check out about 25 to 35 items every Sunday, so I think people still enjoy books! I do. I was an English teacher for 30-something years, and I’ve always appreciated reading, and I hope to inspire others to read.”
Steadfast presence
During her 50-year tenure, the library has added new volumes, moved into a bigger area and been utilized as a record-keeping space.
Though many changes have happened over the years, Taylor’s presence has remained steadfast.
Jeff Redmond, Parkway senior pastor, has known Taylor and her husband of 73 years, Jim, since he first joined the staff as education and youth minister in 1989. Redmond described Taylor as a “Southern, godly lady who cares about the Lord Jesus, cares about the gospel, cares about her church.”
“[The Taylors] have always been involved in church, Sunday School, worked on committees and ministry teams or as ministry volunteers in countless ways,” Redmond noted. “I’d imagine one or both of them has probably been on every committee or team this church has had at one time or another.”
‘Never hesitated to help’
While Taylor likes to keep a low profile, the congregation surprised her with a special 50th anniversary recognition during a July 21 worship service.
Marcalyn Price, who has known Taylor for 32 years, participated in the recognition in which Taylor was presented with plaques from the church and the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission.
“You have served in the church library with dignity and are the epitome of a true Southern, Christian woman,” Price told Taylor during the presentation. “You greet everyone who comes in the library with a sweet and beautiful smile, and you help each person by directing them to the book they want to check out or even suggest books they want to read if they ask. You have never hesitated to help someone.”
Honored
A framed letter from the ABHC was written by executive director Wendy Westerhouse.
“We are grateful for the leadership, influence, commitment and care given to your church library and the development of its role in the life of the church,” she wrote. “God has used you to impact people for the Kingdom, and we are thankful for you, your influence, devoted work and for your continued dedication to the cause of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
During the worship service, Price said an endowment had been established in Taylor’s name — The Virginia Rutledge Taylor Endowed Scholarship for Deserving Students/Members of Parkway Baptist Church — a partnership between Parkway and The Baptist Foundation of Alabama. The church gave an initial gift of $20,000 and opened the endowment for contributions by Parkway members through Aug. 31.
“Needless to say, she was a lot overwhelmed,” Price said. “She was very surprised, especially when they started talking about her and honoring her.
“She’s 94 years old … and to know that she’s served 50 years in our church is just phenomenal. It just shows you her character and her love for Jesus and her love for her church — and she does it so behind-the-scenes, so willingly.”
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