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HISTORY OF MOUNT OLIVE A.M.E. CHURCH
For over 100 years, Mt. Olive AME Church, Clearwater, has been a physical and spiritual icon to the community. In 1894, Mt. Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church began in a refurbished wooden house near 304 Railroad Avenue (now 600 Jones Street). Known only as of the ” A.M.E. Church,” originally it was recognized as Hope Henry A.M.E. Church and served as one of only two black churches in the city of Clearwater. The wooden house in which the church started was renovated to facilitate the installation of benches to serve as pews. The vacant lot north of the church was occupied by the original church.
NATIONAL HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mt. Olive has served as a beacon of light to the communities of Clearwater for 129 years. On February 3, 2000, She was among 1,298 sites to be listed in Florida as having received the National Historic Designation.
In October 1979, the Bishop sent Rev. J.B. Keel to Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church. Under his leadership, the church purchased various parcels of land around the church. In 1986, the Jackson property north of our church on Hart Street was purchased for additional parking. In 1991, the late Rose Clybourn Harris’ estate (3 bedroom house) became the property of Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church, which now serves as our church parsonage.
In 1994, the new multipurpose building was built and dedicated by Bishop Frank C. Cummings. Several months later, (within the same year) additional property was purchased west of the sanctuary which is being utilized by our church office staff. And again, in 1995, Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church entered a contract with Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. to purchase another parcel of land, northwest of the business office.
For 20 years, the dynamic Keel Team, consisting of Pastor Jimmie B. Keel, spouse, Dorothy Evelyn and James C. Rembert, Pastor’s Steward, led the Mt. Olive Church family to heights inconceivable in Kingdom building.
Rev. Jimmie B. Keel
As we continued this faithful journey, in 2004, after 25 years of dedicated service, Pastor J.B. Keel announced his retirement from Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church.
On November 20, 2005, Bishop McKinley Young sent Rev. Ronald E. Williams, Sr. to continue the great work of the church. Pastor Williams proposed a six-fold plan of action for Conference Year 2005, with special focus on further spiritual growth within the Church and strengthening the financial status of the church. During the first year of his administration, he implemented a holistic approach to worship and administration. Pastor Ronald Williams continued the great progress of the church under the banner of “The Best Is Yet To Come” until his transfer as a response to the District needs, in August 2009.
Fortunately, Mt. Olive was again blessed – and this time with the presence of the Reverend LaTanya Floyd and his gracious wife. His warmth, wit and humor brought in many young folks who responded to the spiritual calling of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Mt. Olive AME - Today
Pastor James V. Williams is the second-oldest child of Presiding Elder James O. Williams, Sr., and Mrs. Evelyn Williams of Orlando, Florida. Rev. Williams began his formal education in Orlando, Florida. He graduated from Livingston College in Salisbury, North Carolina, and Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. Currently a Doctor of Ministry Candidate, Payne Theological Seminary.
Pastor James V. Williams is the anointed, visionary servant leader sent by God to lead Mt. Olive AME Church, Clearwater, FL, to new levels as a Great Commission Church. As a dynamic leader blessed with extraordinary energy, commitment, and spiritual insight, Mt. Olive is experiencing great progress on many fronts, including tremendous spiritual growth, many new outreach ministries, employing the latest technology in church operations, and strong collaborative partnerships throughout the community designed to improve the community spiritually, socially, and economically.
Pastor Williams is a powerful preacher and teacher who challenges disciples to commit to the systematic study of God’s Word by attending Kingdom Building Bible Study and Discovery Hour Church School. His progressive leadership and focus on providing a comprehensive framework for reaching all disciples of Mt. Olive and non-disciples alike have resulted in a range of new and innovative in-reach and outreach ministries. Under his leadership, an expanded Children’s Church Ministry was designed and implemented to meet the spiritual and developmental needs of the children. His strong focus on encouraging all components of the church to have an outreach ministry resulted in the church school implementing four new ministries, including the Reaching Outside the Walls Prison (ROW) Ministry, the Kidz-that-Pray (KTP) Ministry, the Adopt-an-Elderly Member Ministry, the Student Support Ministry, and the Midweek Learn & Play Ministry for children. He is also one of the co-founders of The First Rung Project. A construction trade school committed to teaching ex-offenders construction trade skills to become productive citizens. He has also served as a board member of Man Up and Go. And the organization is committed to fighting for the fatherless.
As a community-minded pastor, Rev. Williams has provided leadership in implementing church ministries at the “Safehouse” in the North Greenwood community, a satellite facility. Ministries at the Safehouse include the Bread of Life Food Pantry, the Clothes Closet, and the Grandparents Ministry. Under his leadership, the Mt. Olive CDC was also reestablished to expand the ministry's impact within the community. Ministries such as the James C. Rembert Youth Literacy Program, Troop 600 Scouts, Blue Stars Girls Mentoring, Angels Day of Caring, Shower to Empower, Seniors Ministry, and the MTO Safe House fall under the umbrella of the Mt. Olive CDC.
Rev. Williams served as Senior Pastor at Mt. Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church in Webster, Florida, from 2005-2007. His other pastoral charges include Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Deland, Florida, December 2007. Moore’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, January 1, 2008 - September 2011. In January of 2026, Pastor Williams launched Unity in Faith LLC to help pastors, leaders, the local church, and faith-based organizations embrace the biblical model of unity as a reflection of Christ’s love—bridging vision, leadership, and community impact through faith-centered consulting.
Pastor Williams and his wife, Angela, are a creative and caring team working to change lives for the better in the church and beyond. They are the parents of three children: daughters Brianna and Morgan, and son Dylan. And the grandparents of Mya.
As a committed man of God, Pastor William’s marching mantra serves as the Church’s motto: “One Team, One Heart, Unified to Impact Lives.” His outstanding leadership models the way.
