A pew is the long bench on which people sit during a worship service. In many churches, pews fill the main seating area and face the altar, pulpit, or worship platform. Congregants also sit in pews for weddings, funerals, Bible studies, and community meetings.
What is a pew?
A pew is a bench long enough for several people to sit side by side. Most have a back, and many are fixed to the floor in rows; some churches use movable or stacking pews instead. Benches are commonly made of wood, though metal and upholstered pews are also used.
Many include an kneeler that folds up for sitting and pulls out for kneeling, plus a small rack for bulletins or hymnals. Some older churches have hinged seats that flip up when the row is not in use.
Where are pews used?
Pews are common in Roman Catholic, Anglican and Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and many Baptist churches. They are also found in Orthodox churches, though worship there may involve standing for long stretches. The same fixed bench seating appears in many synagogues, where seats face a Torah ark and bimah rather than an altar.
In newer worship spaces, especially those designed for contemporary worship, individual chairs are often used instead. A church may also mix the two: fixed pews in the main sanctuary and movable chairs in a classroom or fellowship hall.
Why do churches use pews?
Rows of pews seat a large congregation in a compact space and keep sightlines clear toward the front of the church. Sharing hymnals and order-of-service books, a row also makes it easier for worshippers to follow the service together, singing, standing, sitting, and kneeling in turn.
The word comes from Old French pui, meaning a balcony or porch, and acquired its church-seat sense in Middle English. For a wider view of the space, see the parts of a church building.
How is a pew used during a service?
Mostly for sitting, but often for more. In many Catholic, Episcopal, and Lutheran services, the congregation stands for parts of the liturgy, sits for readings and the sermon, and kneels during prayer. Some churches provide a low rail at the back of the pew for leaning during prayer instead. In many congregations, no seat is reserved; people sit where there is room, and an usher can help guests find a place.
What should a visitor know about pews?
Nothing special is required of you. A pew is simply a seat for the service. Leave the aisle clear so others can pass, and take bulletins or hymnals from the racks if they are provided. Sit where you are welcome, follow the congregation's cues for standing and sitting, and ask an usher or church staff member if you are unsure. Visitors are ordinarily welcome at services, including weddings and funerals.