Did you know the word 'pew' is derived from Latin 'podia' via Old French 'puie', meaning 'balcony' or 'balustrade'? And that most churches didn’t have seating until the 1200s?
Interest piqued? Pull up a pew for a rattle through the history of seating in British churches..
#thread

In the beginning, there was no seating in churches. People stood to worship. But the 1200s, saw the introduction of stone benches against the wall of the nave. By 1300s, for comfort, wooden benches in the centre of the nave replaced the stone benches, giving better chancel views.

The Protestant Reformation made listening to sermons a core part of worship; seating was needed on a regular (and lengthy) basis. Stools and open-backed benches were replaced with permanent rows of pews - enclosed and elevated furnishings that include panels, doors and benches.

From the start, seating was closely linked to social status. At first, few had the luxury of sitting. Over time, as more people were seated, seating arrangements reflected society’s hierarchical structure, and people were segregated by class, gender, age, and even marital status.

Specific pews were rented to those who could afford them, and wealthy parishioners often specified in their wills that they wished to be buried close to where they sat every Sunday.

Box pews - enclosed pews for one family - took this idea one step further.

These private pews could be furnished with extra comforts, including heating. At first, families installed their own boxes, with a hodgepodge effect, but by the mid-1700s, many churches installed adopted a uniform style.

However, by the 1900s, most box pews were stripped out and replaced by long pews or benches once again.

We have many different types of seating in our churches. At Manordeifi, Pembrokeshire, Georgian society is reflected in the range of seating - from the grandest box pews - with carved columns and their own fireplaces to simple open-backed benches.

8/8

: August Schwerdfeger

Lots more to say on this, and we’ll publish a blog will that’s delve a little deeper soon.