3 Common Church Pulpit Styles

In many churches around the world, the pulpit is perhaps the most important piece of furniture in a sanctuary (next to a possible altar). From the pulpit, ministers, pastors, preachers and bishops often read from the gospels and deliver their profound and provocative sermons, expounding on the Word of God to the congregation so they can learn the practical uses of God’s Word in everyday life.
Although pulpits are generally considered important parts to a church’s structure on the inside of the sanctuary, the styles and sizes of them can vary widely based on the overall décor of the church, its size and the size of the congregation. There are some pulpits that are small and compact with few frills, while there are others that have three levels and the minister would climb an actual flight of stairs to reach the part where he would give his sermon.
No matter what size or type of pulpit you need or want for your church, there are three pretty common styles of pulpits, based on the materials that are used.
Acrylic/Plexiglas
For a very modern look in your church, you may consider an acrylic or Plexiglas pulpit with wood accents. Acrylic and Plexiglas are very modern materials and they add a very open feel and a minimalist touch to a sanctuary. The acrylic can reflect and diffuse the light in the room, creating a glowing effect around the pulpit and creating a “heavenly” appearance. The pulpit is clear, so the congregation could see the speaker’s body and hands, and sometimes that body language can add a little impact to the sermon. And with the pulpit being generally clear, it makes it very unobstructed in the sanctuary, which in a small space would make the space look bigger.
Wood
Wood pulpits have been around for centuries and are still in heavy use today, especially in Victorian-era churches and those established in the 18th and 19th centuries in the U.S. Wood is a reliable material that is natural and can come in a variety of shades – from pine to maple to oak – to fit almost any sanctuary. Wood pulpits are strong and sturdy and present a sense of classy informality while also conjuring a feeling of unwavering support – a good characteristic when it has the Word of God emanating from the speaker. Wood pulpits come in a variety of sizes and shapes are reasonably affordable compared to other styles.
Metal
Metal pulpits can have a spectrum of colors, styles and can evoke a variety of emotional responses based on the type of metal being used. It can provide a modern look similar to an acrylic pulpit, but it can also impose a certain level of class and strength of conviction like a wood pulpit. A brighter metal finish can illuminate a darker sanctuary, while a darker color can bring extra attention I a very bright room. There are metal pulpits that can look like wood or stone if you are working in a more traditional, old-style sanctuary.
Pulpits come in many different shapes, materials and sizes. But there is a pretty good chance that if you have a church, there is a pulpit out there that will fit the character of your building and be the right fit for your congregation.

Where Does The Word “Pew” Come From?

It really is just a bench. With a back and cushioning. Well, whatever passes for cushioning.

Those long benches that many of us have spent Sunday mornings sitting on in church have never been called what they truly are – benches. Maybe that does not seem like a very dignified word, so churches have taken to calling these seats “pews.”

Pew is, admittedly, a bit of an odd word in that it does not seem to describe the object, not like the word table, or chair, or even sofa. What is “pew,” and why does that word apply to a long bench in church?

The word pew actually derived from an original Latin word that signified more than one podium, or podia. Over the centuries the word evolved and the concept of an elevated seating box or pedestal seating was introduced. This seating box, which was basically an enclosed bench with small steps and a gate for access, was usually meant for VIPs at major gatherings or for certain families of a particular social rank to always sit in church. This raised seating took on the Old French word puie, which means “balcony” or “elevation.”

These benches were originally designed for the balcony of an ancient Roman theater, and they eventually become these special box seats where dignitaries or important families in a community would sit in church – they would sit in the same pew every week. After a while, the word pew eventually was applied to all of the seats in a church, not just the boxes toward the front. Of course, eventually all the boxes were eliminated as churches began to recognize all parishioners as the same children of God and did not actively segregate according to status. Anyway, the word “puie” evolved into the current English “pew,” in about the 17^th century as applying to all church seating.

So there you have it. The pew was initially a status symbol in churches, but has now become a regular staple in many churches, temples and cathedrals around the world. And here is where you can find some of the finest crafted pews for your parishioners in your worship building. We hold all our customers in high esteem, so our pews are truly special seats for special parishioners!

3 Things You Might Not Know About Church

Church is a very important part of many of our lives. While there has been a big push to drive religion out of the public square, religion and church (or temple, or mosque, or whatever you happen to call it) have long been vital parts of our private, personal individual lives. But when it comes to the phrase, “going to church,” do we all automatically come to the same conclusion about a Sunday morning trip to a large building with a steeple and long benches inside?

Just for fun, let’s play around with semantics and explore a little bit more about “church” and what it could really mean. Maybe a couple of surprises in store?

Worship

One of the basic definitions of church is a place for worship. The assumption is that worship assumes a deity of some kind, but think about that for a second. Couldn’t church refer to any place where there is some kind of public worship going on? How about a place where a popular political figure is speaking and attracts thousands of people who agree with him or at least are of the same mindset? Those who are dedicated to a person or a belief system are gathering as a form of worship to that person or belief system, are they not?

And worship means “adoring reverence.” Can you imagine people giving adoring reverence not to God or Allah, but rather to a belief system or to a person, or even a favorite sports team? Couldn’t that be considered church, since “worship” can occur in these settings, even if not in a religious building?

Gathering

A church also has the idea of a gathering place in its definition, as a place where people gather to worship. What constitutes a gathering? A family around the living room? A group of people from different parts of town who don’t know each other? In this case, to truly define a church, a church should be a place where people gather and worship – this could mean any people who are paying reverence to something – whether it is deity or a belief system or a person. Even a family reunion can be church, because it is a gathering of people who are paying reverence to family and the ties that bind.

Love

Another key word in the definition of church is what is within the word “worship,” which is “reverence.” Reverence is a word that implies great respect and devotion, or love. Those who gather in a place for worship do so out of love for that which is being worshipped. And by extension, if all the people gathered love the same person, thing or idea, they can all express love for one another as well because of a common bond that brings them all together into the same place.

At the end of the day, when you really think about what makes a “church,” it is not the building – it is the place where people gather for some common love to share – whether it’s a love of music, theater, sports, family. Church has become a religious term, but at its most basic core it is not a religious concept. Church can be almost anywhere. And if you are looking to develop such a gathering place, maybe you could be in the market for some great seating for the gathering to congregate and share that common bond of love. If so, you can check out the best online option for church seating to put forth the real definition of church by encouraging the gathering of common hearts and minds in comfort and support. It’s a place called Pews.com and it loves gatherings for a common purpose – just like we humans.

Where does the name “Pulpit” come from?

Where does the name “Pulpit” come from?

For those unfamiliar with the church, a pulpit is a very important piece of furniture. Almost every church has one and uses it regularly during services and masses. To define it simply, a pulpit is a raised platform in a church where a preacher delivers the Gospel or sermon.

The pulpit has a long history in religious context. Traditionally, the pulpit is the stand for preachers and speakers in a church. Most Christian churches actually have two of these stands at the front of the church. As viewed by the congregation, the pulpit is the stand located on the left. The stand on the right, as viewed by the congregation is known as the lectern.

Typically the Gospel is read at the pulpit, giving the right side of the church the nickname of “the gospel side”. The lectern is where scripture, excluding the gospel, is read. Prayer is usually led and announcements are made from the lectern as well. It is often called “the epistle side” since the epistle lesson is usually read from the lectern.

The pulpit derives its name from the Latin word pulpitum. In Latin, pulpitum means scaffold or platform. The origin of the word pulpit clearly splits as it has little to do with modern-day scaffolding and relates closely to platform.

For many Protestant churches, the pulpit is often seen as the most important piece of furniture in the church. It is usually centrally located in relation to the congregation and is raised to note its importance.

In the eighteenth century, triple-decker pulpits were introduced. The purpose of the three levels was to display the importance of the readings. For example, announcements were read from the lowest level of the pulpit, the middle was reserved for the gospel, and the highest level as where the sermon was delivered.

Despite the location of the pulpit, it is undeniable that is has long history of prominence in the church. The raised platform and stand provides the preacher or speaker with a distinguished area to deliver the gospel or their sermon.

To learn more about pulpits, contact Imperial Woodworks, Inc. or call us at 800-234-6624. Additionally, you can request a free catalog online.

Three Common Church Pew Styles

3 Common Church Pew Styles

Pews have a long history that dates back to the 13th century when backless stone benches were found in English churches. By the 14th century, wooden pews had started to replace their stone counterparts. By the 15th century wooden pews were commonplace in churches.

Permanently fixed pews were not common until after the Protestant Reformation and in many churches the pews were a cost to the congregation. They actually became the personal property of the family that paid for them.

Since those days, pews haven’t changed much in terms of their build. However, they are now considered public seating for the congregation instead of personal property. While the overall build of pews haven’t changed much, there are three common pew styles seen throughout the world today.

Standard Pews

Most pews are of the standard style. These all-wood pew bodies are simple yet elegant. They are long, straight benches offering the congregation a chance to sit during a sermon.

The wood used will vary, as will the color. There are also different pew ends which are the entrance and exit points to the pew row. These end pieces often have unique or intrinsic designs on them to provide some aesthetic appeal.

Standard pews are often upholstered as well. Cushions are added to the backrest of the pew as well as the seat. The cushions provide added comfort to the congregation.

Radial Pews

Radial pews are very similar to their standard brethren. They too are typically made of all-wood bodies and can be finished in different styles. The only difference is that radial pew has a slight curvature to it. This curvature allows for seating to face a focal point, usually the altar, improving sightlines for larger congregations.

Box Pews

Box pews are not as prevalent today but are one of the more common styles used throughout history.

Box pews are church pews that are encased in paneling. They were typically straight pews enclosed with a latched door at the end. The reason for the enclosure was to create more privacy, allowing a family to be seated together alone.

In colonial New England, box pews were often used in more than just churches. These box pews were also used in meeting houses which were not typically heated, thus the enclosure helped to keep out drafts which kept the pew occupants warmer.

To learn more about our different styles of church pews, contact Imperial Woodworks, Inc. or call us at 800-234-6624. Additionally, you can request a free catalog online.

Welcome to Imperial Woodworks Blog

We are excited to have this new blog. We look forward to sharing information with our readers to help show you what we do and how we do it. More to come next year!