Ebenezer Church breaks ground for new sanctuary in Conway

Little Rock, Arkansas – Ebenezer Christian Church of Conway will soon return to its original grounds for worship services and more.

From its humble beginning 129 years ago, the church will soon be resurrected to welcome new and old faces in a newly developed building. For 111 years, the walls and foundation of Ebenezer stood tall until it was condemned in 2004 for safety concerns.

Pastor Tyler Cain, a well-recognized minister in central Arkansas, remembers the day his beloved church was brought down. “I always feel like when I drive through the neighborhood, somehow the lights went out. Motel 6 had a commercial, ‘keep the light on.’ And that’s what we’ve done these 18 years we’ve been away. We’ve kept the light on,” Cain said as he began his first sermon at the old church site.

The church was officially demolished but the “Ebenezer Spirit” remained unbroken in 2019.

Today, Cain’s groundbreaking ceremony not only symbolizes the rebirth of Ebenezer but also brings hope to an area that once relied on the building for more than just spiritual refuge. “You’ll notice, really, that some of the biggest churches in town are not used adequately. Just Sunday and Wednesday for bible study, that’s it. I was hoping to build something over here for multipurpose where we could use it for more than just church on Sunday.”

Cain plans to add a multipurpose facility to the new church accompanied by after-school tutoring programs, food services for people of the community, and activities for the youth that will give them positive options to keep them out of harm’s way. Over the years, Cain has ministered to the souls of thousands and in most recent years has done so at other churches and even through radio.

Pastor Cain and his congregation will return to Factory and Pine Street with a restored heart, spirit, and church.