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In its simplest form, a pew is essentially an elongated wooden bench. But anyone who has been involved in building a sanctuary with pew seating knows that many questions arise right at the outset: What type of wood should the pews be made from? Will the pews be comfortable, and how will we know in advance? How far apart should the pews be spaced? How will the pews be anchored to the floor? Will the anchoring cause any damage to the floor or to the pews? How do we deal with a support beam or other architectural element in the middle of the seating area?

These questions should help you realize that pew design, manufacture, and placement is really the province of experts. To help level the field a bit, here are a few things to look for when choosing pews and a pew manufacturer to work with.

The science of pew design begins with structural integrity. For example, the back of the pew is constructed and pitched so that it will fully support the person seated in it. It must also be designed to support people in the row behind who will pull on the pew back to help them rise to their feet. Keep this in mind when looking at pew construction.

Solid wood is the traditional pew material, but it has some potential drawbacks. As solid wood expands and contracts from changes in temperature and humidity, it can crack, split, and warp. Today, pew ends can be manufactured from plywood and mdf (medium-density fiberboard) with veneers of hardwood. This combination brings the beauty of hardwood to sanctuary pew design with improved dimensional stability, and allows the manufacturer to warranty the pews for the life of the building.

Veneered pew ends can be virtually indistinguishable from solid wood. When Paul Curtin, building committee chairman of Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Buda, Texas, talked to the manufacturer about pews for their new building, he said they wanted solid wood pews, just like the ones in their old building, but with added upholstery for comfort and sound control. "The pew manufacturer's representative, who had supplied the pews in our old church," Curtin says, "kind of embarrassed us by telling us that they [the old pews] were veneered wood and not solid wood!"

Curtin and his committee were sold on the benefits of the veneer pew ends. The veneers show a high-quality grain. To get the same quality grain in solid wood is more expensive.

Comfort is very important in any church seating design. We all know that an uncomfortable listener is a distracted listener. Far from the flat, hard bench seats of old, modern pews can be designed with comfort in mind.

"The pews we installed were very comfortable," says Larry Linman, building finance chairman at American Lutheran Church in Bourbonnais, Illinois. "They have a cushioned back and cushioned seat, with foam and springs so there is back support." The cushions American Lutheran bought are the same type of spring cushion seats found in automobiles that enable a person to sit for some hours.

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