Discomfort may seem like a poor excuse for staying away from church, but in a consumer-oriented society, churches need to realize that they must deal with the issue. John Hancock, sales manager for Imperial Woodworks, believes comfort is a major factor in church seating. In a church setting, comfort must be built into the seating in such a way that it is taken for granted. We do not want church members distracted from worship because we failed to build a comfortable pew or chair. He says that chair comfort varies with each individual, depending on factors such as height and weight.
Materials used in construction are also important.
The foam used in the chair back and seat, for example, must be strong enough to withstand long-term compression. A Comfortable Pew Years ago, churches used hardwood planks or benches for church seating that were anything but comfortable. Over time, cushions prevailed. Lumbar support and cushion contouring were important ingredients of design. Today, manufacturers such as Sauder Manufacturing, Overholtzer Church Furniture, and Imperial Woodworks offer pews that are designed for comfort.