Project Case Study · Church Pew Restoration
Preserving History: Restoring a Church’s Original Oak Pews
Preserving history by restoring and reupholstering church pews is more than just a job—it brings a historical aesthetic back to life.
A Sanctuary That Had Lost Its Luster
Whether your church was built in the early 1900s or even earlier, it may have lost some of its original luster. Faded or torn upholstery, outdated carpet, or worn-out seat foam can make a sanctuary feel tired. Many congregations hesitate to replace their pews entirely, but they are often unsure of how to update them.
That is usually the whole problem. The pews are worth keeping and everybody knows it, but nobody is quite sure what the next step looks like.
The Pews Came to Autryville
Consider a church that faced this exact dilemma: wanting to update its interior while preserving its historical beauty. They brought us in to remove their pews and transport them back to our shop in Autryville, NC, where we completely refinished the sturdy, well-built oak. We restored the original look that had faded away over decades.
The pews were reupholstered in the same trip, so the wood and the seating came back together rather than in two separate projects.
- Refinished The original oak, stripped and refinished in our shop.
- Reupholstered New upholstery on the seats and backs.
- Removed and reinstalled Taken out, transported and set back in place by our own crew.
What the Church Did While the Pews Were Away
While the pews were at our shop, the church removed the old carpet and uncovered original hardwood floors underneath. Once refinished, those floors looked incredible. The church also painted the interior and updated the platform, sound system, and wall hangings.
An empty sanctuary is the easiest one to work in, and this congregation used that window well.
The result was a fresh, updated atmosphere that honored the building’s historical roots through the restored floors and pews. You truly can have the best of both worlds.
Thinking About Your Own Pews?
We are a family-owned company in Autryville, NC, working with churches from Eastern North Carolina to Texas, along with courthouses, funeral homes and historical buildings. Every service is completed by our own team, without outside contractors. Start with pew wood restoration or church pew upholstery, or see more finished sanctuaries in our before-and-after photo gallery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can old church pews be restored instead of replaced?
Often, yes. If the frames are sound, as the sturdy oak ones in this project were, restoring them costs less than replacing them and keeps the character of the sanctuary. A free consultation is the way to find out which you are dealing with.
Do the pews have to leave the church to be refinished?
For a full refinish, yes. The pews are removed and transported to our shop in Autryville, NC, stripped to bare wood and refinished, then returned, aligned and re-anchored by our own crew.
Can pews be refinished and reupholstered at the same time?
Yes, and it is the efficient way to do it. The pews in this project were both refinished and reupholstered while they were at our shop, so the wood and the seating came back new together in one trip. McPhail offers a 15-year warranty on church pew upholstery.
What happens to our sanctuary while the pews are away?
You have an empty room to work with. The church in this project used that window to take up the old carpet and refinish the original hardwood underneath, and to paint the interior and update the platform, sound system and wall hangings.
More answers on our FAQ page.
Bring Your Sanctuary Back to Life
If your pews have lost their luster but the wood underneath is still good, you have more to work with than you think. The consultation is free.
McPhail Church Services, Inc. · 59 Vickers Lane, Autryville, NC 28318 · 910-322-5673