Williams Memorial CME Church

Williams Memorial C.M.E. Church had its beginnings in 1922 when a group of former Georgians and South Carolinians assembled themselves in the living room of the home of Brother Joe O'Neil, Sr. and organized the C.M.E. Church in this community. For almost a year and a half, Brother O'Neil served as the preacher. He led the young congregation through the sales of fish sandwiches and lemonade to raise enough money to purchase a lot on North West 4th Avenue from Dr. Haines where the first Sanctuary was built in 1924. 

The membership grew under the new leadership of its first official Pastor named Reverend Harris. The first members included Brother O'Neil, Will Washington, and Brother Henry Hawkins and his family from Newton, Georgia. His pastorate was followed by many illustrious men of God; however. It was under the administration of Reverend Carter that the church on 4th Avenue was remodeled and a dining room was added to the building. The first Annual Conference was hosted by Williams Temple in 1942, with the Rt. Reverend W.Y. Bell, Presiding Bishop, Reverend C.L. Reaves Pastor and Reverend N. Martin, Presiding Elder. 

Reverend Carter returned to Williams Temple in 1952 and a new Christian edifice was erected. B.W. Doyle was Bishop during this period. During Reverend O.L. Barr's tenure, the parsonage was built and was hailed as the finest in the Florida Conference. In 1954, the name of the church was changed from Williams Temple Colored Methodist Episcopal Church to Williams Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Ten years of growth and recognition ensued, and in 1964, Bishop Murchison moved a young and energetic disciple out of his native Alabama, named George W. Wilson to Pastor Williams Memorial. It was not long after his coming that Reverend Wilson began talking about a new building. Plans were drawn up and six members led the efforts to incorporate the church. Those members were Sister Mae Ollie Williams, Brother Henry Campbell, Brother Eddie Williams, Brother Marjester Thornton, the Late Brother Austin Mitchell and the late Brother Roscoe Webb. They signed the agreement to build the new church and on September 18, 1966, worship began at our present site with Reverend George W. Wilson as Pastor. Reverend Wilson left in 1966 and returned five years later in 

1971. The property for the new location was donated by the Reverend Carley Reaves, Sr., and family. A bulldozer was secured by a man in the community named Mr. Strawberry and the land for the new structure was cleared by young Carley Reaves .Jr. and men of the church. 

Our current Pastor is Reverend Calvin Hopkins, a dynamic preacher and teacher of the Word who has a zeal and desire to propel this church into a new arena of spiritual growth and unity. Under the leadership of Pastor Cal, the Lord has blessed us to purchase (cash) a new 15 passenger van, to liquidate the mortgage on the church parsonage of approximately $49, 000, to position ourselves to purchase additional property in the neighborhood, all while adding many new members and starting many new outreach ministries that will make an impact on our church and the community. 

God enlarged our esteemed Pastor's territory at the State of Florida's 2018 5th District Annual Conference held in InnisBrook, Florida where he was named Presiding Elder of the South Florida Region. His anointing will energize the region as he shares his visions for God's people with God's people. He has a myriad of projects on the horizon that will further cement our church's theme "A Mind is A Terrible Thing to Waste” and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church's 2018 Connectional theme “ Getting Back to Basics.” 

The ministerial staff includes Reverend Benny Thomas, Reverend Faye Foster and Minister Nyla barker. 

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!