Sales Operations Manager
Sauder Worship Seating
Q: As church leaders come to you with questions about church seating, what are they asking most often? In contrast, what questions would you advise them to ask first?
A: The first question we ask is, “What issues do you have with your current seating that you want to try to fix?” Many churches have furnishings that are decades old, and the demographics and needs of the congregation may have evolved.
We want to understand what is driving the change. Is the goal to improve comfort, enhance the appearance of the worship space, or create a more welcoming environment? By identifying what is and isn’t working, we can recommend options that best support the church’s ministry goals.
For example, a traditional worship space may have a center seating section flanked by two side sections to eliminate a center aisle directly in the pastor’s line of sight while preaching. However, congregations sometimes reconsider this arrangement to better accommodate weddings and special services. Capacity is another consideration. A church may want to increase seating to support future growth, avoid adding another service, or address services already reaching capacity.
Code compliance is also critical. Adequate aisle widths, door access and egress routes must be maintained for safe occupant flow during normal use and emergencies.
Q: As you accommodate new customers, how is their existing seating failing to meet their current needs?
A: In many cases, the church recognizes that its seating has not been updated in 30 years or more and is ready to refresh the space. The furnishings may still be functional, but the overall appearance no longer reflects the congregation’s vision.
Many churches are also undertaking broader renovations, including LED video walls, platform renovations and enhanced technology. When the platform footprint changes, the seating layout frequently needs to be reconfigured to maintain proper sightlines, capacity and flow.
In other cases, complete replacement may not be necessary. We often encounter churches with Sauder pews that are more than 30 years old and remain structurally sound and visually appealing. Reupholstering existing seating can be an excellent solution. By replacing the foam and fabric, we can dramatically transform the room’s look and feel without the expense and disruption of installing entirely new seating.
Q: Are a lot of your clients building brand-new churches?
A: We see relatively few new construction projects choosing traditional-style pews unless the church is expanding its existing campus with a new sanctuary. A growing congregation may repurpose its current worship space for fellowship, children’s ministry or other activities while constructing a larger sanctuary. In these situations, traditional pews often remain a preferred choice because they align with the congregation’s worship style, architectural character and long-term vision.
Q: What types of seating, options and features are trending right now? Alternatively, what types are likely to “last a lifetime” in their appeal?
A: About 30% of what we do is Catholic, so we have pews that will last decades and decades. We try to be as renewable as possible. We can come on-site, remove the foam and fabric, and put new material on while keeping the existing seats, backs, book racks, supports and pew ends.
Our kneeler pads are renewable, too. After 15 or 20 years, the foam might not be as comfortable, so we can replace the pads. One cool feature is our kneeler assist, which uses a pneumatic cylinder to lower the kneeler slowly and quietly instead of letting it bang against the floor.
At the other end of the spectrum are flexible seating solutions and auditorium-style chairs. Auditorium seating offers a clean, contemporary aesthetic popular with many modern and younger congregations. Its structural components can remain in place for decades, while the foam and upholstery can be replaced as needed.
Some customers have returned 20 years after their original installation to order new foam and upholstery. Our installation teams can perform these updates on-site, giving churches a dramatically renewed look without replacing their seating.
Durability and long-term value have been hallmarks of our products since 1934. The first church where we installed pews continues to use them today. Nearly a century later, those pews remain a testament to the craftsmanship, quality and lasting performance that have defined our church furniture for generations.
Q: Are there circumstances when a church should consider refurbishing its existing seating rather than replacing it?
A: Whether refurbishment or replacement is better depends on the church’s goals, budget and the condition of its seating. Refurbishment is often the most cost-effective solution, particularly when the congregation is happy with the layout and there is no need to modify the structure beneath the seating.
Replacement typically becomes the preferred option when a congregation makes a significant change to its worship environment, such as transitioning from traditional pews to flexible seating or contemporary auditorium-style chairs.
We also work with traditional and liturgical churches that choose to replace existing pews with new ones. It is not uncommon to encounter pews that have served a congregation for a century or more and remain in remarkably good condition. In some cases, church leaders ask us to replicate historic pews’ design and architectural details, preserving the original space’s character and heritage in a new sanctuary.
— Reporting by RaeAnn Slaybaugh
