What’s happening to the pews?
What we have
St Mary’s has some very beautiful and unusual pews. They were installed in the church in the 1860s and are made of elm and oak. Each has an individually carved and unique side panel on the aisle side. Currently the pews are fixed to the walls. Over the years pews have been removed to create additional open spaces. The last major “reordering “ (as such a process is called) took place in 1967, when the pews were reduced in number and refitted on new flooring made of American oak.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.stmarysbitton.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Nave-2-reduced.jpg?resize=721%2C755&ssl=1)
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What is changing?
Starting on 26th August, work will be taking place to modify the remaining pews. They will each be removed in turn, repaired and refitted with a wider seat (for added comfort).
The modified seats will no longer be attached to the wall but have one of the carved side panels at each end. These are not new panels, but ones that have been retained over the years as pews have been removed from other parts of the church.
Once we are content with the modifications and that the floor can take them, it is intended to fit castors to make the pews fully mobile.
You can see a prototype of the modified pew in the church. It has proved to be very popular as it is much more comfortable than the existing pews and is fitted with cushions.
The church will remain open while the work is taking place, although it may be necessary to exclude visitors briefly while pews or other objects are being moved.
What will be the result?
We are retaining 20 pews, just one row less than exists at present. For most of the time they will be set out as they are now so the church will retain a familiar appearance. When more space is needed, or if the seating needs to be configured in a different way for a service or event, this will be achieved by moving the pews themselves which can be lifted and moved very easily on their fitted wheels.
Work
Carpentry will be undertaken by Newmans of Bath. At present work is expected to take place between August and October.
There will be some inevitable disruption from time to time and it is inevitable that St Mary’s will look a little untidy while this work takes place. But it is intended to keep the church open as much as possible. The chapel will be taken out of action for most of this period as that is where the work will be carried out.