Benjamin W. Robertson/Professional/The American Triumph Journal

Not every pastor can boast a five decade reign at one single church. Not every pastor
can boast that he or she was able to have the name of a street changed to reflect the
name of their church. Not every pastor can boast to multiplying the amount of
contributing members by more than 10 times. However, that is not the case for retired
pastor, Dr. Benjamin W. Robertson, former senior pastor of Cedar Street Baptist Church
of God. Americantriumphjournal.com spoke with Robertson August 5, 2008; at the time
he was 77-years-old. In the following paragraphs his triumph will celebrated.

Robertson became the pastor for Cedar Street in 1955 at the age of 24. He delivered
his final sermon as pastor in 2007 at the age of 76. He was there for 52 years. He was
the longest serving pastor of any church in the city of Richmond. He said, when he first
got there, the church had 400 contributing members and during his reign it grew to more
than 4,000 contributing members. He said, while he was there the church never
suffered financially. Cedar Street can seat 1500 people comfortably and has had up to
1700 people within the church at one time. Robertson said, he enjoyed a full house for,
"close to 40 years."

Even though, Robertson was still extremely popular within the church he decided to
retire in 2007. He described his feelings on retiring.

"I felt it was time," he said. "There was no push. I even had people to question why
would I retire since we were still doing well financially, had a great size congregation and
everyone was getting along."

Even though, Robertson is not pastor his commitment to the members of Cedar Street
continues. He still performs eulogies and weddings for members. He said, he performs
some weddings at his home in his sun room. He is also still active in the community, he
said, he recently did a senior citizen day at Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

Robertson is the founder of the Richmond Virginia Seminary. He founded it in 1981 and
served as their first president. The seminary has awarded more than 100 degrees in
theology. Among it's many notable graduates are Dr. Leonard N. Smith and Dr. Yvonne
Jones Bibbs. Smith is the pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, president of the Virginia
Baptist State Convention and former president of the Richmond Virginia Seminary.
Bibbs is pastor of Sixth Baptist Church, former president of the Baptist Ministries
Conference of Richmond and was appointed to the state board of Funeral Directors and
Embalmers by Gov. Tim Kaine in 2006. Before founding the Richmond Virginia
Seminary, Robertson served as president of the Virginia Theological Seminary.

Robertson was raised in a two-parent household. He is one of 14 children, him being
the 7th from the top. His father worked as a plastering contractor and his mother stayed
at home. When he was a senior in high school, one of his thoughts for a profession
was to be a lawyer. He also had a catholic teacher in school that got him interested in
becoming a priest.

"I thought about becoming a priest, but then I met my first girlfriend and I didn't think
about it anymore," he said.

Robertson is a very educated man. Since graduating high school he has gone on to
earn six college degrees. He has a bachelor's degree in religious studies from Virginia
Union University, located at 1500 North Lombardy Street, Richmond, Va. He has a
Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Seminary and College, located at 2058 Garfield
Ave., Lynchburg, Va. He has a Doctor of Divinity degree and Doctor of Ministry degree
from Virginia Seminary and College. He holds a Doctor of Humane Letters degree from
Virginia Union University and a degree in special education from Virginia State University
located at 1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, Va.

Leon Williams, joined Cedar Street in 1978 and has been an usher at the church for
more than 25 years. He praised the leadership of Robertson at Cedar Street.

"I miss him," he said. "He preached interesting, soul stirring sermons. He preached the
pure bible."

Today, Robertson is enjoying his retirement. He said, he feels relieved and that he did
all that he could do for Cedar Street. He owns a home in east-end Richmond whom he
shares with his wife, Delores, whom he calls, "Sugar." His wife is a retired elementary
school teacher. They have been married for 53 years. They live in a home now valued
at $446,000, which they bought in 1965. Robertson engaged in many business
ventures while pastor of Cedar Street including renting out properties, owning a
supermarket, and authoring two books. He said, he has assets worth close to two million
dollars. He receives $48,000 a year from Cedar Street for his retirement and service for
52 years.

Americantriumphjournal.com asked Robertson what it was like on the day to day at
Cedar Street and how he prepared his sermons for Sunday.

"I kept regular office hours Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
sometimes leaving a little early on Fridays," he said. "It was an open office. No
appointments were necessary. I worked on my sermon for Sunday. I prepared by
reading the bible, thinking of the problems of the day and I prayed. I prayed to not
mislead the congregation.... Pastors can sometimes get themselves into a lot of trouble
on the pulpit."

August 5, 2008

American Triumph Journal is a free online magazine.

Benjamin W. Robertson, Sr.

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