Pews Vs. Chairs
Know the facts and make an informed seating choice

By Frank King

Fremont Avenue Methodist Church in Bay City, MI chose traditional fixed seating.

In the life of many churches, there are only a few times when changes are made in the sanctuary seating. Traditionally, solid oak pews were built to last 100 years or more. Seating decisions are just as important as ever today because this commitment must accommodate the immediate needs of the congregation as well as long-term growth.

Pews remain an attractive option

One of the major decisions is the choice between fixed seating (pews) or flexible seating (chairs) for the sanctuary. Popular misconception is that chairs will seat more people than pews. In the seating area of the church I prefer to think in terms of a "defined space" per person. My experience has shown that 21-inch width by 36-inch depth comfortably seats the average adult. If we accept this criteria for the defined space then the number of spaces available is equivalent, be it a chair or a pew. The sanctuary floor area, less the aisle spaces, divided by this defined space will reveal the approximate number of seats.

Some chairs are only 18 inches wide with shallow seats that allow you to re-define the seating space as 18-inch width by 34-inch depth. This, of course, enables a few more rows to squeeze in and a few more seats in each row. Pews, however, can be designed to accomplish this same goal.

Choosing between chairs and pews based on the total number of seats provided is not the best criteria on which to base a seating choice. Pew seating is attractive for its ability to accommodate "variable seating spaces." By this, I mean that men, women, and children vary in the defined space required. A pew may allow two adults at 21 inches and two children at 18 inches to use a total space of 78 inches whereas four chairs would use 84 inches to seat the same 4 people.

I prefer to spread the seating out to allow more comfort. If a layout allows a couple of extra inches in depth while sacrificing only a few seats, I will re-define the seating and space as 21-inch width by 38-inch depth. I have even spaced some rows of pews at 41 inches back to back. This allows people to pass by in front of a seated person without making the seated person stand.

If all things are equal, why chairs?

Shown here is a typical stacking chair with back-loading bookracks.

One very good reason is cost. In the past, a new church often sat on folding chairs until they could raise enough money for pews. Today, larger churches are building sprawling, costly sanctuaries. The cost-per-person seating equation has become an important factor in the construction budget. Chairs range from $19 to $150 each while pews cost between $50 and $100 per seat. I also see many new churches buying metal chairs with cushioned seats and backs ranging from $30 to $40 apiece. To date, only a few churches I know of have moved from chair seating back to pews. One potential problem with the flexible seating, especially in larger congregations, is the time involved in re-arranging the chairs. If there are 600 chairs and even one minute per chair is spent unlocking, stacking, moving and putting them back in place, that's 10 man hours of labor! Even small churches have complained of re-arrangements in seating for a wedding only to have the pastor try to set the chairs back in place before service the next day.

In some cases, chairs meet the special needs of a church. One example is the use of the sanctuary for activities other than worship. These double as social halls, classrooms, conference centers and even gymnasiums.

Another example is seen in the vacation areas of a state where recreational activities create a large population in the summer months. The churches in these areas may seat between 300 and 400 people due to the "summer trade" but have only 100 members during the winter. Chairs can be stacked and stored during the winter months to accommodate fewer people during the off season. Some smaller churches have also found it advantageous to purchase only the number of chairs needed to meet their immediate needs and as the church grows add additional chairs.

Why choose at all?

Another alternative in sanctuary seating is a combination of fixed and flexible seating. We have designed many layouts where the first two or three rows are chairs and the rest of the seating is pews. Sometimes only special areas (baptisteries or overflow seating) use chairs while the rest of the sanctuary uses pews.

Chairs provide the ideal seating solution in the choir area. Individual seats can be rearranged or completely removed for special performances. In the past, this space was designed with shorter pews that could be unfastened from the floor and carried out of the area for special programs. This was a back breaking job! Today, interlocking, stackable chairs offer total flexibility. In addition, choir risers and modesty screens are designed as moveable and free standing. Even chancel furniture (pulpits, altars and clergy seats) are now smaller, lighter and moveable. The entire platform area can be cleared for a special performance if necessary!

It may be that the worship area with painted concrete block walls, tiled floor, and fixed solid oak pew seating is being replaced by the decorative wall coverings, carpeted floors and fully upholstered flexible seating. Perhaps we will no longer have the luxury of dedicating a sanctuary space for worship only. If this is true, then perhaps flexible seating is here to stay.

Frank King is president of Kawkawlin Church Furniture Manufacturing Co., Kawkawlin, MI.