The Reverend William James Taylor was born in London, England on March 13, 1847, and educated at King's College in the same city, where he was employed for some time at the Colonial and Continental Missionary Society. He may have met Bishop Isaac Hellmuth at the Society's office. Coming to Canada, he was made a deacon by Bishop Hellmuth, second Bishop of Huron, in 1878. He was Deacon-in-Charge of St. John's, Alvinston, St. James',Brooke and St. Mary's, Napier, Metcalfe.

Having been ordained priest by Bishop Hellmuth, Rev. Taylor was appointed to Wardsville, Newbury and Glencoe on October 26, 1879 when he was thirty-two years old. In 1888, he was appointed to Trinity Church, Mitchell.

Rev. Taylor then became rector of St. James' Church, St. Mary's conducting his first service September 7, 1890. He was to remain almost 27 years until his death.

It was during Rev Taylor's incumbancy the parish hall was built. Work began in 1907 and the hall was dedicated June 21, 1908.

William James Taylor was stricken with appendicitis at the Diocese of Huron Synod and died on June 22, 1917 after an operation in St. Mary's.   His wife Alice Taylor had died the previous year on February 14, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were survived by two daughters, Edith and Amy, and one son, the latter being the Reverend Dr. William Taylor who was associated with the missionary, John R. Mott in China.