Church Chairs Versus Pews
Nowadays, more and more churches and ministries are moving away from traditional furnishings in favor of less expensive and more convenient options. Aside from lowering costs, furniture pieces such as stackable chairs, instead of pews, are multipurpose and instantly give a space a modern look. This is a growing trend for the last 20 years and is apparently a way of keeping up with the times in an effort to increase and retain church membership.
Traditionally, church seating consisted of pews, or long wooden benches with fixed backs, arm rests and kneelers. Ten or more persons sitting side by side can be fitted in an average pew. This kind of seating has been around since the 15th century, but the modern version may have cushions, padded backs and/or padded kneelers.
In contrast, church chairs can be made from materials other than wood, such as metal and plastic. These are available in a variety of finishes, with designs ranging from classical to contemporary. They look no different from banquet or conference chairs, and they can be connected together resulting in a pew-like formation.
If cost and flexibility are the main considerations, then chairs are a better buys than pews. They are less expensive, unlike wooden furniture. Any large space can be transformed into a multifunction room by clearing away or rearranging church stackable chairs. A room used for religious services can also be used for banquets and conferences, saving on rental costs or the cost of building a separate room for other functions.
Cost and comfort are not the only considerations when deciding on church furnishings. The impression that selected pieces give to visitors and members is also important. For instance, tradition and ceremony are associated with pews, while chairs reflect a less formal and non-traditional style of worship.
Theft and vandalism are problems for some churches. For them, pews are more useful than chairs, because they are more difficult to steal and damage. Those who count comfort and easy access as a priority, that is those with younger congregations and disabled members will be better off with church chairs.
Any church furnishings that will be used should be appropriate for the existing architectural features of the space. This means that, sloping floors, chevron or curved rows should be considered when deciding whether to use chairs or pews. Pews can be custom built to accommodate most of these space considerations, which most chair models cannot.
Church renovations often bring up the question of whether to replace or refurbish existing furniture such as those used for seating. In the case of pews, buying new or replacing with stackable chairs is not always the most cost-effective solution. If seating for large events is an issue, one compromise is to use a combination of chairs and pews to provide flexibility for holiday services and other big events. In any case, seating can reflect what the church or ministry believes is important in worship.
