Bard of the Bethel

Wendy Knickerbocker is an independent scholar who studies American religious and cultural history. A retired academic librarian, she holds a BA in American Studies and a MS in Library and Information Science. She is the author of Sunday at the Ballpark: Billy Sunday's Professional Baseball Career, 1883–1890. She lives in Castine, Maine.

"Wendy Knickerbocker has written a carefully-researched, well-balanced study of the life and times of the Methodist preacher Edward Taylor, or 'Father Taylor' as he was known in his day. Although others may have been discouraged from the task owing to the scarcity of letters and other primary sources from Taylor himself, this has not stopped Ms. Knickerbocker. On the contrary, she has put together a compelling portrait of this complex man through a diligent search of public records, church records, newspapers, reminiscences, diaries, and other first-hand accounts. The result is an admirable and significant contribution to the history of religion and religious practice in mid-nineteenth century New England."—Dr. Lynn H. Parsons, State University of New York, Brockport "Reading Bard of the Bethel was like having my own time machine. As I sat reading Wendy Knickerbocker's narrative the twenty-first century seemed to fade into the background and I felt that I was present in the villages of eastern Massachusetts in the 19th century, attending church services, revivals and camp meetings, listening to sermons and sitting like a 'fly on the wall' at various meetings, conferences and fraternal events. This book provides insights into the complex realities of religious life in Massachusetts during this period. It does more than assemble a wealth of data (although it does that well); it personalizes that data and brings it to life. This is a book that the reader will not easily put aside."—Dr. Thomas R. W. Longstaff, Colby College"Knickerbocker has documented and mastered the sources to present this colorful life and voice as fully as possible. Like his neighbor, the Massachusetts Bible Society, 'Father Taylor' placed the Word and witness of Jesus Christ above sectarian conflicts. As chronicled in this biography, 'Edward and Deborah' once again offer a presence both daring and endearing to attentive audiences."—Rev. Dr. James D. Smith III, Prof. of Church History, Bethel Seminary San Diego"'The Bard of the Bethel' is peppered with anecdotes that hold your attention and bring Father Taylor to life. This is an especially good read for anyone who is interested in the history of New England, the Masons, the Temperance Movement, Methodism, or Unitarianism. As a Unitarian Universalist minister who has served churches exclusively in New England, and is the son of a Methodist pastor, this was an almost perfect book for me!" —The Reverend J. Mark Worth