Ark of the Covenant Church moves to former Lazy Eye spot in downtown
The Ark of the Covenant Church, previously located near Scottie's Drive-In, is reopening at 2036 Pacific Ave., the former site of The Lazy Eye, a pool hall that closed at the end of 2024.
A former bar in downtown Forest Grove is being transformed into a church.
The Ark of the Covenant Church, previously located near Scottie's Drive-In, is reopening at 2036 Pacific Ave., the former site of The Lazy Eye, a pool hall that closed at the end of 2024.
Pastor Shadi Samhan said his congregation had outgrown their former location, where they've been for about five years.
"We try to help the community as much as we can," Samhan said during an in-person interview. "Downtown Forest Grove, it's a growing community," he said, noting that his church wants to be part of that growth.
Renovations to the building were happening at the time of the interview; the pool tables had been removed, leaving a spacious central hall for seating. A stage was already built, awaiting flooring and finishes against the back wall. On the Pacific Avenue side, an A/V booth had been constructed adjacent to the street-facing windows.
Ark of the Covenant, or Iglesia El Arca de Dios, is a bilingual nondenominational Christian congregation, Samhan said. Services are conducted in Spanish or in both Spanish and English, depending on the language needs of those in attendance.
"We receive everybody," the pastor said. "Just like Jesus said, "Come to me, all that are weary and tired and I'll give you rest" so we try to give rest to everybody that needs rest," he said.
The church plans several programs for low-income families and homeless individuals, including what Samhan described as a small food bank.
Throughout the week, the church will have fellowship services, Bible studies, and programs for local youth and Pacific University students, Samhan said.
"There's a lot of young people, they're going through depression, or going through stress, especially the college students," Samhan said. "We're going to try to have a special time for them to come in and just maybe relax, or open their heart and get some help, whatever they need," he said.
"We're looking forward to serving the community," Samhan said. The church is planning its first service at the new location Sunday, March 30, at 3 p.m., with Wednesday and Friday services at 7 p.m. There are plans to bring a Sunday morning service to the spot, too, but nothing has been confirmed.
