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Pat Robertson, televangelist and one-time presidential candidate who died last week, made a “low key” visit to his hometown of Lexington in April 1991 to deliver a sermon at Manly Memorial Baptist Church on the occasion of the church’s 150th anniversary.
Dr. Tom Harvey, pastor of Manly Memorial church at the time, said Robertson’s visit back home was not publicized in advance so as to avoid detracting from the purpose of the event, which was to celebrate the church’s history. “It was a nice day for us,” recalls Harvey. “It was noncontroversial. He was very kind to the people he spent time with. It was a low key visit, a chance for him to come back home [and renew old acquaintances].”
Despite the lack of publicity, a capacity crowd of 325 filled the church’s pews. Pete Shaner and Don Huffman were among Robertson’s childhood friends from Lexington who spent time with him during his visit. Harvey said he and his wife Nancy joined the Robertsons and Shaners for a lunch at the Lexington Golf & Country Club after the service.
In his 40-minute sermon, Robertson stuck to scripture and Christian theology in his message, avoiding politics altogether. He demonstrated that he “was very knowledgeable” about scripture, remembered Harvey.
Word had gotten out to the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office, ahead of Robertson’s visit, and there was some sentiment in favor of the sheriff’s office providing security. Harvey said he nixed the idea, not wanting to have firearms or uniformed law enforcement officers present at the service. If there were any security personnel present, they were not in uniform and were unobtrusive, said Harvey.
He described Robertson as “very gracious” in his interactions with members of the church’s congregation.
According to the news account of Robertson’s visit in The News-Gazette written by Claudia Schwab, Robertson and his wife Dede were the recipients of several mementoes and honors during the day’s service. Dede was given a miniature memento of the church’s stained glass windows. Brian Shaw, a City Council member at the time, presented Pat Robertson a proclamation that declared him an honorary citizen of Lexington, although, Shaw noted, that was redundant because he had, indeed, been born in Lexington.
Andrew Lindsay, his former Sunday school teacher, gave Robertson a plaque that included a favorite quote from his mother – “God has a plan for your life.”
