Covenant Church Furniture

Archive for the ‘Furniture’ Category

Church pews, while austere in design and simple in comfort, are considered furniture in the strictest sense. However, unlike regular furniture inside homes that can be moved around, church pews, especially hefty and lengthy ones, aren’t meant to be moved. Religious services are usually strict about seating arrangements, and ministers can’t have their congregations lifting up the seats as they please.

There will be instances when the pews will need to be repositioned within a church or temple. Perhaps the temple will undergo renovations, or the seats will be transferred to another house of worship. Whatever the case may be, those planning to move pews should keep in mind that the benches were made to be permanent fixtures, and can be extremely difficult to lift without any help of some sort.

Most modern church pews are fastened to the floor of the temple with brackets; lifters should first loosen the screws that hold these brackets in place to free the seats. Even when loosened, most church pews weigh a lot and can be difficult to lift, especially if the seat was made to hold a large number of celebrants. Professional help might be necessary to safely transport pews from one location to another.

For regular churchgoers, one of the most prominent pieces of furniture in any church is the pew; after all, it’s where they’ll spending most of the service. Those who have been to several churches will notice that just as churches differ in exteriors and interiors, they can also have different pew designs even if both of them share the same denomination.

Some church pews are built with the comfort of the worshipper in mind. For this reason, it is not rare to chance upon places of worship with pews upholstered in comfortable fabrics. Some churches with worshipping activities that include kneeling in public have kneelers, a part of the church pew that allows congregants to kneel without their knees ever touching the floor. These kneelers may be cushioned too.

Most church pews, ever since they became common inside churches, are typically fashioned out of wood. Some pews are more ornate than others, while others are sparse and minimalist in terms of design. There are church pews that feature a shelf at the back so that people sitting on the next pew can put their church reading materials (such as prayer books, song books, missalettes, and others) onto those shelves when they’re not in use.

From the modest and reverential church pews of yesterdays to designs that range from modish to distinguished and vintage, church pews have become an important and ubiquitous fixture in every church. In fact, since fifty years ago, manufacturers have tended to design pews into more ergonomically advanced seating, lately by adding foam and upholstery to make them more comfortable and stylish. Even pews that endured for 100 years are put to good use and made to look brand new by re-varnishing or reupholstering them.

Church pews are still being used today, being that they have become closely associated with the church. You would hardly imagine what a church would like without pews. Its presence since way back hasn’t changed; wooden church pews, in fact still dominate even modern-day churches. Wooden church pews, more than anything, make any space feel like a sanctuary, and provides a grounded feel to the traditionally airy, lofty feel of any church interior

Custom-made church pews are designed to match and harmonize with the building’s architectural features. Gothic-styled pews are designed for Gothic-styled churches, simple or plain wooden church pews are preferred for minimally adorned churches.

Church pews are still designed like they were fifty years ago, albeit with more awareness now for ergonomic comfort and religious symbolism. Space and legroom is paramount to provide comfort during the long sermons and the hour-long masses.

Being houses of worship, churches exude an aura of sanctity and contentment. When you see churches in movies, you usually see happy endings, or the consummation of love and justice. There are certain movies, however, that use the church to symbolize the final struggle, redemption, and epiphany. Listed below are some of the most memorable cinematic examples:

Shanghai Noon

It is while seeking sanctuary inside a church that Chon Wang realizes that the Emperor has no power over him in America, and fights for his and Princess Pei Pei’s freedom.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

In Disney’s re-imagining of Victor Hugo’s tragic novel, Quasimodo breaks free from the chains of the church. The scene symbolizes his emancipation from his foster father Claude Frollo, as he gathers the courage to save Esmeralda from being burned at the stake. After saving her, he climbs up the church and screeches “sanctuary!”

Saving Private Ryan

After Private James Ryan refuses to leave behind his comrades in Ramelle, Captain Miller and his team take a final stand in the destroyed town to protect its bridge. Private Jackson and Private Parker take their stand in the church tower, where they efficiently killed any Germans before being blasted by a German tank.

These churches (or what’s left of them in Saving Private Ryan’s case) have become symbols of mankind’s struggle against adversity. And just like in the movies, churches—with their stained glass windows, pews, and altars—can become sanctuaries for the battered human spirit.

Wood is an excellent material for making church pews, offering a balance of durability and beauty. However, wood is susceptible to rotting—mold, termites, and even the environment itself can be risk factors that hasten its deterioration. Cleaning pews is normally as simple as using a clean cloth and a bit of cleaning agent, but never detergent. Soaps and detergents can dry out the wood, causing it to lose its natural beauty and crack.

Wax is usually enough to make the pews look spanking new again, especially in cases of vandalism. A simple amount will suffice in covering much, if not all, of the pew. However, you can reduce your use of wax by cleaning the pews regularly, and removing oil and grime before they become impossible to get rid of. Some experts say WD-40 works well in removing tough stains, but make sure to test the substance on an inconspicuous part of the pew before applying it all over.

As pews get sat on by hundreds every day, maintaining church pews may be a bit of a chore. Regular cleaning, however, can cut the upkeep by a great deal. Ask your local pew manufacturer for more tips on how to keep your pews as beautiful as the church in general.

For some, going to church is important because it reaffirms their faith and strengthens their spiritual health. For some, going to church gives them a sense of belonging. However, despite these benefits, some churches have reports of dwindling numbers of church attendees. This was the problem that an associate pastor at a Camarillo, California church experienced recently, so he decided to make some changes by having the church’s sound and video systems updated, the air ventilation enhanced, and more.

If you have a problem drawing in churchgoers lately, you can follow this associate pastor’s example. However, remember that you don’t need all the bells and whistles to make your church seem new, especially if funds are a concern. A simple church pew refinishing done by church furniture restoration services can do the job of giving your worn-out church a fresh look and thus lure people in to hear you preach the Word of God.

When finishing church pews, these professionals strip pews off its existing finish first; afterward, the church pews are sanded using sandpaper. Two coats of stain will then be applied, and then clear polyurethane finish. As your church pews are likely to be made of hard wood, which can be quite uncomfortable for church attendees to sit on, it may be good to consider adding seat cushions for enhanced comfort.

A church is where people go to pray, reflect, and worship. These activities are most effectively done in a solemn and inviting church environment. Aside from the ceremonies, many other factors such as church design and furniture influence the people’s behavior and response inside the church. Here are some of the common reasons why a church should have the right furniture.

Anything that causes a person to feel uncomfortable leads to distraction, one thing every church leader want to avoid during a mass or service. Providing a well-designed set of chairs for the attendees will definitely prevent this from happening. The ideal chairs are those with tight and fully-upholstered pews. Sitting on such a soft surface would keep attendees focused throughout their stay.

 Many churches became popular for having unique and stunning furniture pieces. Aside from encouraging regular attendees to keep coming, people from various places across the country will be enticed to visit. There are a lot of churches that have already made it to various lists of most famous tourist destinations.

Some church furniture are so poorly designed that they pose health threats. For instance, chairs that are not design with ergonomic considerations can cause people to experience back pains after sitting for hours. It is crucial for every church designer to choose chairs that are comfortable to sit on.

Look at any church that has stood longer than your parents, and you might see ranks of pews that have seen better days despite being termite-free. While sitting in one of these pews can leave you in peace while you communicate with the Almighty, you soon realize that these pews most certainly deserve a new lease in life. Fortunately, there are ways to make this happen.

If the pews are screwed onto the floor, you can opt to do the refinishing by removing the screws and then working them over in a controlled setting. You can also place plastic sheets under the pews and do the work on the spot. The church or sections of it should be closed off to ensure that work progresses uninterrupted. Tests involving denatured alcohol, lacquer thinner, or a mix of both will determine the best way to strip these pews with sandpaper or sanders.

Choose the stain that matches the pews’ original color, and then apply two coats. The coats should be applied one hour apart, then you can go with two coats of polyurethane finish. The initial coat can be  applied a couple of hours after the second stain coat. However, you will have to wait between 12 to 24 hours before putting on the second polyurethane coat.

Refinishing old church pews can bring back the luster they had the day they were first assembled. Who knows how many stories they can tell if they could speak?

For many Christian denominations, the word “church” refers not only to the congregation, but also to the buildings that congregations gather in. More universally, the entire communion of Christians (known as the body of Christ) is often collectively referred to as “the church”.

Places of worship are built so that the congregation can gather in one place in God’s name. In these houses of worship, the congregation will not just praise God and hear his Word, but also interact with other believers and learn Christian charity.

Some congregations may be affluent enough or influential enough to enable the construction of magnificent houses of worship, such as cathedrals and grand churches. Ornate structures inspire awe in worshipers, and in the past, stained glass windows, icons, murals, and other visual elements were added to increase this sense of transcendent awe.

Regardless of how basic or elaborate a place of worship is, most congregations agree that church seating should be comfortable enough to ensure that all congregants can partake in the communal activities with ease. These days, church furniture and seating can be ordered online, with many websites providing customized sizes and options for congregations to choose from.

Designs can be specified right down to the material and upholstery; as well as the shape, size, and finishing details. This way, congregations can choose the church furniture and seating that suits their activities.

Wooden furniture holds a timeless appeal in its earthy colors and understated natural beauty; it is no wonder that it’s been around for centuries. In time, however, the beauty of wood fades because of sun damage or stains. Before you think about sending your wooden furniture to the giant storeroom in the sky, consider having it refinished by a professional. 

Refinishing is the process of adding a new finish to furniture in order to restore its original beauty; a process that can be messy if you decide to take on the project yourself. To prepare for a good refinish, you’ll need to apply chemical strippers in order to get rid of the paint and other finishings, followed by sanding to smoothen the surface. This is a bigger challenge if you are planning on refinishing a church pew. Bear in mind, however, that the results won’t always turn out the way you had envisioned. 

Companies that specialize in refinishing have the right tools to speed up the entire process and, more importantly, the right methods so the outcome is more consistent. Just make sure that the company is reputable and has excellent references. Your tired-looking furniture can look brand new once again in the hands of a capable refinishing company.


Add me to your Circles

About

At Covenant Church Furniture, we craft only the finest solid wood furniture. We stand behind our product 100% in quality and craftsmanship. Our computerized design technology allows us to custom build your furniture to meet your specifications. You won’t find veneers, laminates or edge banding in our high quality church furniture.Visit http://www.covenantchurchfurniture.com/ for more details.

Find us

LinkedIn Blogger Tumblr