Things to Consider Before Buying Church Chairs

Seating and accommodations are just some of the everyday issues that churches worry about every time they hold ceremonies. After all, the logistical considerations when holding a mass are pretty different than presiding over an outdoor wedding or organizing Sunday classes. While pews and chairs are standard fare when it comes to seating, there are times when one is more suited than the other, and vice versa.

Portability is probably the biggest consideration when choosing the best type of church seating. Typically, durable folding chairs are best suited for congregations that tend to relocate a lot and/or hold a lot of outdoor activities. Pews, on the other hand, aren’t exactly easy to move around. However, when aesthetics are brought into the picture, pews seem to be a favorite because they have a rustic and natural look on them.

Comfort is another consideration simply because sitting around for prolonged periods of time can be a bit straining, especially to older people. Originally, church pews were provide the least bit of comfort, although modern pews and portable chairs are built nowadays with soft cushions and supports.

Longevity is one last factor to consider since church chairs or pews (ideally) should be durable enough to see regular, almost daily use.

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Why a Special Chair for the Priest Exists

It's tradition for churches to allocate one chair for the priest to sit on—but not just any chair. Being the Presider's chair, it needs to stand out among the chairs normally reserved for the lay ministers and other personnel during the mass. The importance of this chair, writes senior priest Jan Larson, can be fully understood in its symbolic instead of practical aspect. The chair exhibits the priest's importance as the Presider in a mass or of the church itself.

The same applies to a cathedral, where the priest has a chair separate from the Presider's chair, which belongs to the bishop. So, a lay minister is advised not to use the Presider's chair even if he's presiding over the mass. There's nothing biased about this; it has been the practice of the Church since its early years. Churches see the preservation of liturgical tradition as an essential component in  any liturgical function.

While the Presider's chair must be placed at a position everyone can see, Larson writes that it should not look like a throne. However, the chair must be prominent enough to reflect the importance of the priest or bishop as the spearhead of the community in celebrating the glory of Christ.

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