Pastor Paul Robinson retires from St. Andrew’s

Pastor Paul Robinson preached his last sermon at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Dec. 29. Although he retired, he will still be providing pastoral care for the church and is the Legion padre and hospital chaplain. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Pastor Paul Robinson is retiring – again, or sort of.

The well-known minister, who was last at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, preached his last sermon on Dec. 29. He will continue doing pastoral care for the church, as well as being Legion padre and hospital chaplain.

His career has been taken him from being the chaplain of the Canadian War Museum and Governor General’s Foot Guards to being a local minister in two provinces, and travelling to provide pastoral care in Serbia and Uganda, and to those working at Ground Zero following 9/11.

Born in Cheshire, England, Robinson came to Canada in 1957 with his family at the age of nine. Following in the steps of his father who was in the military during the Second World War, Robinson entered the Royal Military College in Kingston, graduating with an honours degree in English. His first posting was as pay officer in Edmonton.

After serving 15 years in the military, ultimately as a public affairs officer, Robinson came to the ministry in a roundabout way, working first for World Vision before being called into pastoral ministry as assistant pastor at Capital View Community Church.

Two years later, in 1985, he moved to Montreal to pastor the Fairview Alliance Church.

“The French I learned in the military came in handy,” Robinson said.

Five years later, he found himself back in the capital, having accepted the call to pastor Redeemer Alliance in Orleans (Ottawa).

While pastoring in Ottawa, Robinson reconnected with the military and was trained as a reserve force chaplain. Once qualified, Robinson was appointed chaplain to the Governor General’s Foot Guards based at the Cartier Square Drill Hall. This historic building is home to the Guards and to the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa. 30 Field Artillery, known as “The Bytown Gunners” also make their home in the capital.

While pastoring and serving with the Guards, Robinson was named honorary chaplain to the Canadian War Museum, and led services on their behalf for the 50th anniversary of D-Day, VE Day and VJ Day.

In 1994, the Robinsons made the move to Tillsonburg.

“Tillsonburg Alliance was looking for a pastor,” he recounted. “I came and met with them and accepted the call to come here.”

Their time at the church was one of growth as the church nearly tripled in size and went to two morning services.

But 11 years into that ministry, tragedy struck when his daughter Heather died from a rare strep infection which took her life in 12 hours. The baby she was about to give birth to also died.

Robinson said it was a special grace from God that enabled him to conduct Heather and Emily’s funeral.

“But,” he added, “getting back in the pulpit, I was in worse shape than I thought.” Shortly after, he had to pull back, and resigned from the church.

After stepping out of the pulpit, Paul accepted a position for a year as National Director for Micah Challenge Canada, an organization that helps cut poverty and promotes education for women in Third World countries.

In 2007, Robinson returned to the pulpit and moved to Messiah’s Corners (outside Port Rowan), to pastor the Port Rowan Mennonite Brethren Church. He stayed there until he was 65 when he retired for the first time and moved back to Tillsonburg.

Retirement didn’t last though, as he accepted a half-time position at St. Andrew’s for a six-month contract.

“My six-month contract became six-and-a-half years,” he laughed. “That’s when I said it was time to retire again.”

He partially retired from this in 2019, sharing duties with another minister, but was back two years later in a half-time role once again.

Still on another six-month contract in 2024 along with another half-time minister, things were lined up for Robinson to retire at the end of September. But the plans fell apart and so he stayed on until a replacement was found for the start of 2025.

“I’m still not really retired,” he reflected. “I’m still looking after pastoral care for the church and am happy to do so. Besides, people think pastors don’t really retire.”

Asked about ministering in different denominations, Robinson answered, “I’ve often compared the denominations to the different regiments in the army,” further explaining that like the regiments with their various traditions, they are fighting for the same cause – and the same Commander.

During his years serving the church, ministry afforded Robinson opportunities outside the pulpit. In 1998 he traveled to Serbia, Hungary and Russia, visiting and encouraging missionaries there. In 2006 he visited refugee camps in Uganda. And shortly after 9/11, he found himself coming alongside rescue workers inside “The Red Zone” in New York as fires still burned. More recently, he was also part of the Legion’s Pilgrimage of Remembrance to Normandy in July 2023.

Robinson has been the Legion Branch 153 padre for over 25 years and is continuing in that capacity. He is also the zone padre.

“I feel privileged to work with my comrades there,” he said. “We have an amazing Legion here, very active.”

Robinson is presently the only chaplain at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital. He explained there used to be a team providing pastoral care, something he wants to re-establish.

Asked how he keeps going, Robinson answered, “My passion is proclaiming the Good News. My joy is seeing people transformed as they come to know Jesus.”

He credits that he couldn’t have made the journey without the support of Carol, his wife of 54 years who has been by his side throughout. She is presently the music director at St. Andrew’s.

“We’ve been a good team,” Robinson said with a smile.