Church seating is an important part of every interior project. The budget, modern liturgical function and aesthetics all play a part. What to do with existing pews is one of the first questions to be addressed when contemplating an interior renovation. Are they worth keeping, refinishing or restoring or should they disposed of? Should the church abandon the existing pews for all new chairs? Or should there be a combination of new chairs and existing old pews?

First, you need to determine the value of your existing pews both structurally and architecturally.

Structurally, how much solid wood is there? How much is veneer? How have they fared over time structurally? Is it only the finish that is damaged or are there places where a common problem has failed and been repaired constantly over the years? If only the finish is soiled with scratches or years of multiple coating, restoration or refinishing is likely to be a value. All solid wood is a good sign because solid wood can be sanded aggressively if needed. Mostly veneer can be bad if it has fared poorly over time. In how many places has the veneer come off? Veneer can be restored, in instances where abuse has not been heavy, but a docile, non water, solvent based "rinsing" method must be used or there will be future lamination problems when the dry days of winter arrive.

What is the thickness of the seat (3/4" is thin, 1 ¼" is good). Is the seat flat or curved (curved is better). Are the seats and backs routed into the ends or merely butt up to them with a cleat beneath (routed is better). Is there a stretcher beneath the seat that runs the length of a thin seat as a means of shoring it up?

The structure of your existing pews is important to assess in that it is a determining factor when comparing refinishing cost to replacement or purchase of new. The refinishing of good quality old pews generally is half to one third the cost of purchasing similarly structured new pews. Cheap new pews, with mostly fabric and veneers, cost only about 20% more than refinishing existing, so they can be viewed as a value in comparison to refinishing if you are not informed properly as to the value of your existing pews. Nonetheless, there are a lot of church pews, starting from about 1950 and beyond, that should not be refinished, so take a close look.

The architecture of your existing pews may have significant value for your church. If they are original, then their shapes may be complimentary to the design and era of the building. They may be considered a "contributing" historic or architectural element. Many churches have had pews originally custom designed and may be unique.

Secondly, it is important to determine whether or not church pews have a place in the modern liturgy. Many churches are going to all new chairs as a means of providing greater flexibility in their renovated spaces. You would think a church pew refinisher is part of a dying breed. But while some very prominent projects are using all chairs as a statement or example of the function of the new liturgy, the majority of renovation projects have yet to embrace the idea. Budgets and practicality cause most churches to re-use their good quality existing pews with a nod toward the future by adding individual flexible seating in the areas where there is a multi-function purpose such as around the Baptismal Font, in or adjacent to newly created gathering areas and in choral areas. Many times existing church pews are shortened in length as part of a refinishing project to provide wheelchair or handicap spaces. In short, pews are still a viable option to be used anywhere where no flexible use will ever be needed and they can be permanently affixed to the floor without inhibiting liturgical function.

Other Things to Consider

Is the existing spacing to close? How many rows or seats will be lost if spacing is increased? Generally, a 28'' distance from top rail to top rail is considered too close. 31" is a minimum. 34" is common and 36" is getting to be too much.

What about the bookracks? Should they be replaced with carts in the entry or gathering area for each parishioner to pick up the hymnals as they enter and return as they leave? Should they be placed under the seats? Lengthened?

The kneelers? Old wood to restore? Many committees have an affinity for the old wood kneelers. Retaining them is likely to cost the same as replacement with new aluminum types. But the aesthetics may weigh heavy. Are new kneelers needed? Required in your Diocese? Replace the pads or cushions only? Can the old aluminum kneelers be re-used? Generally, the cost of repainting the old metal and putting new cushions is the same as purchasing new, but many parishes have replaced only the pads and had volunteers do repainting and replacement of miscellaneous parts and pieces.

Should cushions be added to your existing seats? Cushions cost about 1/3 to ½ the cost of refinishing. Complete refinishing AND adding cushions is similar in cost to cheap new pews.
Padding pews affects the acoustics of the room. But if this is necessary, consider removable pads. Be sure the pad foam is compressed with the fabric prior to attaching the fabric to the lauan plywood bottom of the pad. Seat pads can be made to match the form of curved seat pews. Pads for backs can also be added. Avoid permanently attaching foam directly to pews and fabric without plywood backing, future refinishing will be easier to do.

Finally, do not add more finish to an already deteriorated existing finish. We see this quite often, multiple coats of finish applied over the years that do not properly adhere to the soiled finish below. Re-coating is more likely to stick to you (on the warmer summer days) than to the finish beneath. It scratches easily and will cause the finish beneath it to soil or darken more quickly, within 5-7 years. Re-coating with more top coats of finish, which some contractors call "refinishing," should be considered a short term stop gap measure only when budgets are tight and removal of the existing soiled finish cannot be afforded. In most cases, it is best to simply clean dirty pews and retain the existing finish than to add layers of additional surface finish.

As a priority, the church pews and wood architectural elements are placed low in the order of importance. Committees will spend many hours discussing the church decoration or new carpet style and only a moment or two about the wood. Given the mass and volume of the pews and their visual impact, it is important to be sure the color, finish and overall design of the pew finish and architectural wood elements be complimentary and harmonious with the balance of your project.

Questions? Please feel free to contact me.

V. Scott Beddome

(Originally published in Environment & Art, Liturgical Training Publications, 1996. Revised 2001)