Why are churches replacing pews with chairs?

Chairs allow for flexible configuration of space for a variety of uses and worship applications which can expand the utility of existing space and/or eliminate additional construction requirements and costs. They are easier to use, move, and rotate to minimize wear and tear. Pews, on the other hand, are fixed in place.

What do you call the benches in a church?

A pew (/ˈpjuː/) is a long bench seat or enclosed box, used for seating members of a congregation or choir in a church, synagogue or sometimes a courtroom.

Is there a market for church pews?

As congregations shrink and churches close, there are more pews up for sale. There are ways to sell pews for profit. Advertise the pews in online auctions such as Old and Sold Antiques or Fontaine’s Antique Auctions. Place an ad in a publication like Uncle Henry’s.

Why are pews better than chairs?

Pews are often spacious, yet they can seat a large number of people. Pews can be preferable for people who like to stretch out and for children who don’t like to stay seated for long. Pews also have a longer lifespan compared to church chairs and require little to no maintenance.

How long do church chairs last?

How long will the chairs last? You want chairs that will continue to look great and remain comfortable for at least a decade. Of course, some wear and tear over time is to be expected, but if your chairs are falling apart after three years, they weren’t built to last.

Why are churches removing pews?

Removing fixed pews and replacing them with moveable chairs creates open spaces that can be used for local groups and events, bringing in income and new worshippers.

What is the difference between a bench and a pew?

is that bench is a long seat, for example, in the park or bench can be (weightlifting) the weight one is able to bench press, especially the maximum weight capable of being pressed while pew is one of the long benches in a church, seating several persons, usually fixed to the floor and facing the chancel.

Why is a church seat called a pew?

late 14c., peue, “raised, bench-like seat for certain worshipers” (ladies, important men, etc.), frequently enclosed, from Old French puie, puy “balcony, elevated place or seat; elevation, hill, mound,” from Latin podia, plural of podium “elevated place,” also “front balcony in a Roman theater” (where distinguished …

How do you get rid of old church pews?

If you have old church pews and are certain that you are going to get rid of them, you have a number of options for disposal. You can recycle them and use the reclaimed wood for other projects within your church, you can donate them to a church that is opening or is in need of seating.

What kind of wood are church pews made of?

Upholstered church pew bodies are reinforced with a solid oak inner-frame. All components are screwed together into solid oak or solid maple and are guaranteed not to come loose for the life of the installation. Colonial ends are 2 1/4″ thick solid maple and have a true raised panel route with extra sharp corners.

Why do churches have wooden pews?

Wooden pews as we know them today first became widespread in Europe in the 1500s following the Protestant Reformation. Before that, church floors were usually kept bare because the congregation stood during services. Some churches kept moveable, backless stone benches around the walls for the elderly to sit on.

Why is a pew called a pew?