Church seating is a very important part of every liturgical interior decorative project. The budget, modern function and design aesthetics make for a complex mix of considerations. Thus, the disposition of your existing church pews can be a formidable task. Are they worth keeping or should you purchase new? How much would each option cost?
How do we determine the value of our existing pews?
First, take a look at the pew structure and architecture.
How have they been built? How much is solid wood? What components are veneer (if any)? How are the seats attached to the ends? Are they routed into a groove in the end or merely butt up to it sitting on a "cleat"? Are the seats curved or flat? Are they comfortable? What is the thickness of the seats? (Greater than 3/4 of an inch?) Is there a stretcher on the underside of the seat that runs the length of the seat as a means of shoring it up? In general, how has the pews structure fared over time? Are there places where a common problem has failed and been repaired repeatedly over many years?
The more solid wood the greater the value. All solid wood church pews are nearly always worth restoration or refinishing. Pews of similar structure purchased new would cost over $300 per lineal foot (and up). Many pews have all solid wood with exception to the seat backs that are often veneer. These backs -in particular on curved pews- can split horizontally and pinch clothing. Most can be repaired in a cost efficient manner.
The architecture of your existing pews may have significant value. If they are original, then their shapes may be echoed in other places in the sanctuary and thus they are complimentary to the design and era of the building. Removing them would be to lose what is considered a "contributing" historic or architectural element. Many churches have had pews originally custom designed and may be one of a kind or unique. Look at the pew ends- then look around the nave. Do they fit?
Now take a look at the finish.
Most old church pews have multiple coats if finish. These "re-coats" have been applied over soiled, greasy existing finish. As such, they don't adhere properly to the finish beneath and scratch easily and stick to our bodies on hot humid days. (That's why re-coating or "refinishing" as some call it should never be anything but a stop gap option). They also visually exaggerate even minor scratches and can make many think the only solution is pew replacement. It's important to know that these topcoats can be rinsed off easily with a docile rinse material and the balance of original finish has been protecting the solid wood beneath to your benefit for all these years. Don't let scratches scare you if you have solid wood pews.
But even with solid wood pews an overly aggressive restoration process can do more damage than good. Thick chemical paste strippers and harsh high pressure water blasting can be permanently damaging to solid wood. Moisture retained in the solid wood and then stained and finished will cause surface finishes to cloud and/or lift as the buildings interior humidity's change with the seasons. Water rinsing is just plain toxic to veneers as adhesives will delaminate and lift in the dry winter forced air heat. This is a common problem found with production style church pew refinishers who rely primarily on quickness of process as opposed to quality.
Determine whether or not church pews have a place in the modern liturgy.
While some very prominent projects have replaced their church pews with new chairs- the majority of renovation projects have yet to embrace the idea. Budgets, practicality and in some cases just plain romance cause most churches to re-use most of their good quality existing pews. But with a nod toward the future- they are 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 restoration project to provide wheelchair or handicap spaces. In short, your existing pews are still a viable option without inhibiting liturgical function.
How much will church pew restoration or refinishing cost?
The refinishing of good quality existing church pews, in general, is about one third the cost of purchasing similarly structured new pews. On a per lineal foot basis church pew restoration and/or refinishing cost starts at $120 per foot and can range up to $200 per foot. The variables are project specific. How much of the site work will church volunteers or a local general contractor perform? Must the pews be taken off site to provide for other trades to gain access to the floors, ceiling, etc? Can the church provide a space for the work? How much in church pew repairs are needed?
Comparing the cost of pew restoration or refinishing to purchasing new pews is an apples to oranges proposition. Most new pew budgets end up having to make severe compromises in quality. New pews offer mostly chipboard substructures with razor thin veneers. Fabrics and upholstery have replaced solid wood. It is now more expensive to restore existing structurally significant solid wood pews than it is to replace with all new chairs or “disposable” upholstered pews. So the value a church community places on the existing pews needs to be strong.
Other Things to Consider
Is the existing row spacing too 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 considered a maximum.
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? Can they be simply touched-up to save cost? Should hat clips and pencil holders be abandoned?
The kneelers? Old wood to restore?
Many committees have an affinity for the old wood kneelers. Repairing them, adding new cushions/pads and touching them up will cost the same as replacement with new aluminum types. But would the new metal kneelers clash?
Should cushions be added to your existing seats?
Cushions cost about $25 per foot. Padding pews can negatively affect the acoustics of the room. But if this is necessary, consider removable pads. Seat pads can be made to match the form of curved seat pews. Be sure the pad foam is compressed with the fabric prior to attaching the fabric to the curved lauan (plywood) bottom. Avoid permanently attaching foam and fabric directly to pews- future pew restoration will much be easier.
As a priority, the church pews and wood architectural elements can be placed low in the order of importance. Committees will spend many hours discussing the church decorative color scheme or new carpet style. Given the mass and volume of the pews and their visual impact, it is important to be sure the overall design of the pew finish and other architectural wood elements be complimentary and harmonious with the balance of your project.
And of course- we'd like to help! Please feel free to call or email us at
woodworkrestoration@hotmail.com .
V. Scott Beddome
262-527-8969
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http://churchpewrestoration.com
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(Originally published in Environment & Art, Liturgical Training Publications, 1996. Revised 2021)
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