“Pew” is an interesting word with an interesting history. The English word comes from the French peue, meaning a raised, bench-like seat for ladies and important men, etc. The French word derives from the Latin podia meaning a balcony, elevated place or seat, elevation, hill, mound. The podia also were used for important or rich men at the games during the Roman Empire. Pews were for the rich and famous.
For the first 1,400 years, there were no pews, or much seating of any sort in churches. Perhaps there were stone or wooden benches along the sidewalls for the aged and for the infirm. The main area of the church had no seats. The people stood or knelt on the marble or stone floors for Mass. Many of the floors are beautifully decorated with mosaics or traceries. Many of the floors are masterpieces of art and geometry. Like the stained glass windows, church floors were lessons in the Faith.
The first introduction of pews into Christian churches was around the 12th century and they were rare, mostly used in monasteries for the monks during their long prayers throughout the day.
Pews as we know them were chiefly the invention of the Protestant Reformation. Pews developed, as the sermon became the central focus of their reformed service. Prior to the Reformation, the pulpit was placed in the middle of the church, so the people would gather around the large elevated pulpit to hear the very brief sermon.
Over time in most Protestant churches the emphasis became Sacred Scripture and the sermon given by the preacher. The Protestant service became a lecture, or a religion lesson, so the people had to sit for convenience or necessity. The pulpit was then placed in the front, even the center of their churches.
Pews were gradually introduced over time and were especially popular in England. Because of the influence of Protestantism in our country, pews were introduced immediately to American churches, Protestant and Catholic alike. However, the early pews weren’t what we think of pews. They weren’t the long benches; rather they were “pew boxes.” Enclosed boxes like little cabins, with high walls, elevated off the floor. Pew boxes were expensive and had to be purchased; even bequeathed in wills. The boxes were created to be private and comfortable protecting the family from the chill in the church. Some boxes had charcoal or coal pots to keep them warm. It was where people could discreetly doze during long services and even brew tea. There even arose various legal battles over pews as individuals regarded their seats as personal property. The pew boxes were locked and no one could use them except the family; the pew box had the family name inscribed. Eventually the common folk could “rent” a pew, or a seat on a long bench, in the back of the church, or up in the balcony. Some Catholic Churches used to charge, “seat money,” usually a quarter.
Pews are now commonplace in most churches throughout the world. There are still Orthodox churches and most mosques that do not use pews; the faithful still stand for the entire service.
We are looking forward to our new and more comfortable pews, but don’t worry, the homilies will not be longer, and they will be free! On Monday, the contractors will begin the floor, removing the carpet and subfloor, and see how far we can get to the original flooring. Keep the prayers coming.
As they were carrying out the pews, I saw underneath. I never realized how many of our parishioners enjoy chewing gum!