Noel Calvin Taylor (July 15, 1924 – October 29, 1999)[1][2] was an American politician who served as the 41st mayor of Roanoke, Virginia, from 1975 to 1992.
[3] Taylor was pastor of the historic High Street Baptist Church in Roanoke's northwest neighborhood from 1961 until his death in 1999.
[citation needed] After graduating from Bluefield State College in 1949, Taylor became a teacher in the Bedford County, Virginia Public School.
[6] In 1970, Taylor became the first African American elected to Roanoke, Virginia's City Council.
[9] During his mayoral term, he oversaw downtown Roanoke's revitalization and the inaugural development of Valley View Mall.