News by email Donate

Suggestions

Church-pews-thumb_galleryfull.jpg
World News

Wooden pews removed after C of E court ruling

The Church of England has ruled that wooden pews can be replaced with padded chairs to accommodate elderly parishioners. 

Churchgoers and residents in Gaulby, Leicestershire, came up against some staunch opposition as they campaigned to have the pews removed from St Peter's Church and exchange them for a more comfortable alternative. Local doctors backed the campaigners, insisting that padded seats would be better for the health of the elderly congregants, some of whom are in their 90s.

The Church Building Council, the Victorian Society, the Georgian Society Historic England and the Ancient Monument Society all objected to the plan and insisted that the seats should remain wooden and unpadded. They argued that padded seating would not be appropriate for the interior of a 16th century Grade II-listed church building. 

The Chancellor of the Diocese of Leicester, Lyndsey de Mestre QC, disagreed. Her ruling, which was handed down at the Church of England's consistory court, suggested that hard-backed pews had restricted elderly people from attending church services. 

She said: "The choice of chair has been arrived at following consultation with churchgoers and villagers, some of whom are medical practitioners working regularly with the age group whom this project will initially serve." 

News you can believe in. Stand with Premier Christian News today.

Your gift today ensures that Premier Christian News can press forward in strength, reaching more people with biblical truth and shaping the future of Christian thought. It’s more than just a donation—it’s an investment in renewed minds and transformed lives. 

Without continued support, the ability to create and distribute resources that strengthen faith and equip the church will be compromised. But with your help, we can grow deeper, stand firmer, and shine brighter in the culture.

Your support today is critical.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate