Science Behind the Seat by Power Trade Media

HELPING LEADERS BECOME

B E T T E R S T E WA R D S .

Science Behind the Seat Presented by: Sauder Worship Seating

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Table of Contents SEATING SELECTION MADE SIMPLE

In seating manufacturing, Ergonomics is an integral element of the design and development process. The following details are important to consider as you begin the daunting task of determining not only what seating will enhance your worship experience, but also the level of comfort needed for the congregation to best understand God’s message.

THE CARE & KEEPING OF YOUR BIG INVESTMENT

The facility manager is the shepherd of the church grounds, which might include a range of duties — from landscaping, to building maintenance, to basic maintenance of the seating. It’s important for this individual to have thorough knowledge of how to properly clean upholstery and how often to tighten bolts on the seating.

By Amanda Opdycke

AUDITORIUM SEATING SELECTION GUIDE

WORSHIP CHAIRS SELECTION GUIDE

PEWS SELECTION GUIDE

FLOOR PLANNING MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

CASE STUDY: APEX BAPTIST CHURCH (APEX, NORTH CAROLINA)

DEFINITY: DEFINE YOUR WORSHIP SPACE

CASE STUDY: FLOOR LAYOUT OPTIONS

CASE STUDY: SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI (TRIANGLE, VIRGINIA)

CASE STUDY: THE HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST (NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS)

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS: BREAKING DOWN SEATING SELECTION

WHAT MAKES CURVED PEWS SO SPECIAL? 70 What attributes of a curved pew not only provide a place to sit during the sermon, but also enhance the experience? Why should you consider curved pews in your sanctuary? (And come to think of it, when did the use of curved pews begin?) By Amanda Opdycke

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: IT’S POSSIBLE! 71 How can you lead your church into the dawn of contemporary seating while maintaining the traditional appeal of pews? After all, it’s essential to select a seating style that meets the unique demands of the worship facility, as well as satisfying the aesthetic needs of the congregation. One way to bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary seating preferences is a combination pew. By Amanda Opdycke

When we think of worship seating construction and the types of materials used, what questions first come to mind? Is engineered wood better than solid wood? How will the longevity of the fabric impact the overall life of the pews, chairs or auditorium seats? What’s a realistic expectation of foam degradation? The unknowns can be daunting. Knowing the right questions to ask can quickly put your mind at ease. By Amanda Opdycke

WOOD DRYING PROCESS: WHAT MAKES SAUDER WORSHIP SEATING DIFFERENT? 59

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Sauder Worship Seating upholstered ergonomic pew with Vantage chairs

Seating selection MA DE

SIMPL E

Ergonomics is an integral element of the design and development process of manufacturing seating. Combined with the study of Anthropometry, the science that measures the range of the body size within a population, Ergonomics allows for maximum achievement of comfort in any number of seating products. These concepts are collated to create a superior level of comfort in Sauder® Worship Seating’s pews, chairs, and auditorium seating. The following details are important to consider as you begin the daunting task of determining not only what seating will do to enhance your worship experience, but also the level of comfort needed for the congregation to best understand God’s message. 4

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Ergonomics is not just numbers and statistics that have been gathered to assist in the creation of various types of seating. Rather, the study of Ergonomics provides comfortable seating that allows the congregation to fully enjoy the sermon - the purpose of the worship experience. Sauder Worship Seating understands that each parishioner is coming to experience the Word of the Lord. We also understand if they are fidgeting in their seat, they no longer are focused on the word but on their discomfort in the seat and how quickly they will be able to get out of them. It is important to encourage attentive comfort through the duration of the sermon which leads to a vital element of Ergonomics: design. When selecting sanctuary seating, it is important to consider comfort. Maximum comfort can be achieved when the spine is in a neutral position similar to standing. Lumbar support while seated helps in the continuation of the “S” curve shape of the spine. The construction of the seat itself is far more important than the “cushy” feel of the foam and fabric. While those elements are important too, it is wise to understand the structural elements of construction as well. Best practices and comprehensive research will be helpful as you look for a seat that is designed to fit the contour of the upper legs through the lower back. Sauder Worship Seating has designed all of our products to provide for maximum comfort by including a seat contour on every item we manufacture. Whether you are interested in solid wood or upholstered pews, chairs or auditorium style seating all of our products include the seat contour as a means to support the contour of the lower body. Not including a contoured seat to support the contour of the leg will result in leg and back pain. Sauder Worship Seating also utilizes contoured seat foam on top of the contoured seat which means as foam naturally degrades over time the base structure will continue to support the natural curvature of the lower body. This will result in extended comfort over the life of your seating. While the seat contour is an essential component of Ergonomics, understanding seat depth needs to be considered as well. The depth of the seat should be deep enough so the area behind the knees is not hitting the front of the seat. If the seat pan is too shallow it will cause serious discomfort behind the knees which in turn impacts the pressure points behind the knee. Conversely, if the seat depth is too large, the smaller population size will be uncomfortable. This is referred to as the popliteal contact, or the area behind the knees. This is another critical area where Anthropometry has been a significant influencer in Sauder Worship Seating design standards. Our standard seat depth is 16”. We do understand based on various needs within the worship space and population size, they may require different needs. As a result, Sauder Worship Seating also offers 14, 15, and 18” seat depths in our pews in order to accommodate a specific need. A final component of seat comfort is the height of the seat. If the seat is too high or too low it will create discomfort in the legs as well. It is important for the seat height to be within a range of distance from the floor to allow those in the seated position to be supported through their feet by the floor. Sauder Worship Seating manufactures our products to be approximately 17.5” from the floor. We often think of the back when we think of Ergonomics. This is part of the equation but not as critical as one might think. It is often the case that the foundation of our seat is directly related to the comfort of the back. As stated previously, the design of the back should support the design of the seat. There are a number of elements that will contribute to back comfort. The back pitch for example will directly impact the level of comfort. The lower the incline of the back pitch, the less comfortable the back will be. Sauder Worship Seating manufactures our back pitches to be a standard 5” back pitch for wood backs and 6” for upholstered backs. A select number of our pews do allow for a 3” back pitch. Another detail to keep in mind is the lower back contour. The contour of the back needs to provide support to alleviate stress on the back. The height of the back should reach the shoulder blades as well as have a form of lumbar support to maintain the natural lordotic curvature of the spine. Sauder Worship Seating standard churchexecutive.com

Sauder Worship Seating solid pew body with contour seat and back

Sauder Worship Seating upholstered pew body construction detailing the contour seat beneath the contoured foam

back height is 32” from the floor to the top of the cap rail. We do also provide a few other back height options in order to accommodate various needs which include 38” and 42” heights. As you try out different types of seats, it is important to notice how the lower back contour couples with the contour of your back. While considering the design and methodology of your worship seating, bear in mind that actually sitting in the seat may be the most crucial aspect of your decision process. If possible, try out the seats over the course of a short period of time. Determine if the seats will suit your ultimate goal: maintaining attentive comfort as a means to engage your parishioners with God’s word. Sauder Worship Seating has sales representatives across the nation, ready to provide any samples you may need in order to make a wise and educated decision based on structural integrity of the product as well as thoughtful investigation into what your congregation needs may include. Amanda Opdycke is Worship Market Manager at Sauder Worship Seating in Archbold, OH. www.sauderworship.com.

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Auditorium Seating

Different styles of worship call for different styles of seating. Many congregations find a need for seating other than traditional pews and chairs for their services and special events. To answer this need, Sauder Worship Seating offers Auditorium Seating as part of its comprehensive line of worship furniture. Designed specifically for the worship market, our Auditorium Seating offers unparalleled comfort, remarkably quiet operation, and lowest lifetime ownership cost, along with the quality and craftsmanship customers have come to expect from Sauder. Slim Profile Vista and Clarityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gravity-lift seats create the slimmest (181/2) profile in the up position, allowing for more standing and walking space without compromising comfort. Cover Image: Lenexa Baptist Church, Lenexa, KS

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Sauder Worship Seating makes more worship furniture than anyone else in the world

The Sauder Worship Seating Advantage Because we make seating for all areas of your worship environment, our additional advantage is the ability to combine styles of worship seating. Whether your choice is pews on the main floor, auditorium seating in the balcony or flexible seating in the stage area, we offer seating to meet your every need. Not all worship seating manufacturers can claim that. If this is an important factor, don’t hesitate to include this as a question you ask of any seating provider you consider.

v v

elegant simplicity - hallmark of great design unparalleled comfort - the contoured shape with optimal lumbar support has over 4” of foam at

critical pressure points v

remarkably quiet operation - based on the simplicity and reliability of gravity

flexibility - our unique spacing throughout your facility will accommodate varying sizes of attendees

domestic production - over 80% of components and 100% of assembly

molded polymer seat support - is stronger than either plywood or sheet metal

the lowest lifetime ownership cost - with easily renewable upholstery, minimal fasteners to loosen over time, and no moving seat-lift mechanism part to wear out

professional project management - which begins with your local sales representative, and includes your assigned in-house CAD floor plan designer and Project Coordinator

on time delivery and installation - we stake our reputation on it everyday

renewable upholstery - for inexpensive fabric damage repair

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First Baptist Church

Gardendale, AL

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Vista Specifications

Vista Standard Back Option

Standard Back Option Vista Standard Back Option

High Back Option

Vista High Back Option

Wide Seat Option

Vista Wide Seat Option

Back of Back Options

Vista Wide Seat Option

Wood Back

Upholstered Back

High Wood Back

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Clarity Specifications

Standard Back Option

High Back Option

Wide Seat Option (Optional 2º Reclined ) 19" 18-1/2"

Back of Back Options (Optional 2º Reclined ) 28-3/4" 28-1/4"

36-1/2" 25" 18" eat idt 19-3/4 22” - 24”

(Optional 2º Reclined ) 2 " 19-1/4"

Wood Back

Upholstered Back

Poly Back

29-3/4" 29"

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CHURCH EXECUTIVE • S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T 42-1/2"

Options & Accessories Aisle Panels Three styles available in both solid wood and upholstered versions.

Armless Configurations Arms Wood Book Rack with optional Communion Cup Holder

Wood Card/Pencil Holder with optional Communion Cup Holder

Wood and Wire Book Rack

Wire Card/Pencil Holder Available with optional Communion Cup Holder

Stationary, lift-up arms, or armless configurations available at purchase or can be added at a later date. Lift-up and armless options can allow for ADA compliance and easy exiting.

Armrest Caps Available in polymer, wood, and upholstered versions.

Back Outer Panels Available in upholstered, wood veneer, and polymer versions. Book Holder with optional Communion Cup Holder

Card/Pencil Holder

Lift Up Arm

Armless Cap

Book Holders

Drink Holder

Card/Pencil Holders Communion Cup Holders Drink Holders Floor Mount Pitch Options Standards available in 0ยบ, 2.5ยบ and 5ยบ

High Back Allows for balcony installation, gives increased code compliance and allows for seating modesty on taller risers.

Offset Standard closed Large Wood Panel

Medium Wood Panel

Small Wood Panel

Allows for carpet aisle to reach under the end panel for a custom look.

Reclining Options

ADA Wood Panel with lift up arm - open

Available in 0ยบ and 2ยบ recline

Removable Anchor System Riser Mount Standards Allows for greater installation flexibility, is easier to clean under and gives a neat, uncluttered look below the seat.

Row & Seat Identification Row Identification Lighting Swing-out ADA End Panel Large Upholstered Panel

Medium Upholstered Panel

Small Upholstered Panel

Row and Seat Identification

Row Identification Lighting

Has an easy to use release mechanism, can be placed at any row end, and allows for ADA compliance.

Two or Three Seat Removable Units Can be taken out for special events or for handicap seating.

Customizing Your Worship Space

Wide Seat and Back Options

Sauder Worship Seating's standard pew ends are compatible with Clarity seating. Pew ends allow a wide variety of ways to customize your worship environment to reflect the image of traditional church interiors.

Allows for the desired seating space to accommodate every guest.

Wood Options

Pew End 302-1370

Pew End 302-4785

Standard & custom symbols available

Available in oak, maple, or cherry, black walnut, African mahogany, Northern white oak, rift Northern white and red oak and in any of our standard finishes. Custom color matches are also available.

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Sharing Your Vision At Sauder Worship Seating, how we work – new technologies, new products, new ideas – is always evolving. But our values – how we treat our customers and each other – remain constant. Our ultimate goal is to provide you with an excellent, care free worship furniture buying experience.

Seating Experts

Complementary Furniture Below is just a sampling of complementary furniture available from Sauder Worship Seating. We can help simplify the selection and ordering process by coordinating other seating areas of your church with what you have selected for your sanctuary.

Your Sauder Worship Seating Sales Representative is a valuable resource, possessing extensive knowledge of the markets we serve, our products, the buying process, scheduling, and installation. You can trust your Sauder representative to listen carefully to your vision and use expertise across all areas to fulfill your overall project requirements.

Construction Materials

Our line of auditorium Seating can boast one of the highest if not the highest U.S. sourcing and manufacture percentage among our competitors. Today, that percentage stands at 83%. Sauder Worship Seating has taken on strong initiatives to ultimately source over 90% of auditorium seating components in the United States.

Rally Indulge Arm Chair

Rally Embrace Arm Chair

Arris Arm Chair

Bridge, Rockport Arm Chair

Arris Sofa

Vantage Chair

Grille Cafe Stool

Cafe Table

Project Management

In addition to your sales representative, a dedicated team of inhouse professionals will be assigned specifically to your project, providing guidance from start to finish. This will ensure your satisfaction and peace-of-mind through every stage of your project.

Design Studio

Experience our new industry-first product and visualization tool available at sauderworship.com. We’re confident you will find this value added tool extremely beneficial (and fun too) in your initial product, fabric and finish considerations. Note: Final fabric and finish selections should be made after viewing actual samples available from your sales representative.

Customize Your Project

We welcome your ingenuity or that of your architect designer in customizing your worship space. From seating options to platform furniture, we have design experts and seasoned craftsmen at your service to assist in bringing your vision to reality.

Church Remodeling

By simply refreshing elements of the worship space, it can provide renewed vitality not just to the sanctuary but to the congregation as well. We can help by providing either new upholstered cushions to your solid seating or reupholstering of your existing cushioned seating.

Sauder Manufacturing Co. 930 W. Barre Road PO Box 230 Archbold, Ohio 43502-0230

sauderworship.com

419-446-9384 800-537-1530 Fax: 419-446-4945 (Canada and USA) sales@sauderworship.com

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Our Story It all began with a carpenter and craftsman named Erie Sauder who had a passion and knack for crafting furniture people really liked. At first, in the 1930’s, Mr. Sauder casually built worship furniture honoring requests from local churches. Over the years, as these communities became more and more aware of his fine craftsmanship at fair prices, the demand for his beautiful church furniture was exponentially growing. In response to this increasing need, in 1945, Mr. Sauder founded Sauder Manufacturing Company and with six employees began full time production of church furnishings. In 1971, to stay at the forefront of changing church trends, Sauder Manufacturing pioneered the use of chairs in worship spaces—opening up new markets for our product beyond the worship community. As we began selling chairs to colleges and universities, we formed the Sauder Education brand in 1983 and introduced new seating options for residence halls, libraries, and computer workstations. Over the years, Sauder worked with Wieland Furniture to develop products for the healthcare market. This relationship and shared vision culminated in our acquisition of Wieland Furniture in 2000, thereby upholding the competitive position of each firm. Our strength lies in blending the best from both companies to continually bring new products to all our markets—worship, education, healthcare, and courtroom. Today, Sauder Worship Seating is well positioned for the future. We bring skilled craftsmen and modern technology to our customers to provide unmatched creativity, quality, and value. In staying true to the past while planning for the future, Sauder strives to “preserve the core while stimulating progress.”

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Chair Overview OakLok*

Paragon*

Unity * ®

Side Chair 202-2200

Side Chair 202-2600

20" Side Chair 330-6420 20" Side Chair 330-4120

Arm Chair 232-2200

Arm Chair 232-2300

40" 2 Seat Unity® 330-6440

optional bookrack shown

20" Arm Chair 332-6420 optional bookrack shown

20" Side Chair 330-6720 extended back option shown

60" 3 Seat Unity® 330-6160

More Choices. More Products. More Details. PlyFold

PlyLok*

Deli

Regal III Folding Chair 702-8204

Side Chair 702-8742 UFUBR

Side Chair 702-6053

Arm Chair 732-6054

Mission*

Side Chair 702-1430

Counter Stool 712-1430

Grille

Counter Stool 712-3712 AWBL

Arm Chair 732-8748 UFUBR

Side Chair 702-8748 AWBL

Autumn

Side Chair 702-9800

Folding Chair 702-3201

Folding Chair 702-8201

Horizon*

Arm Chair 732-9800

Arm Chair 732-0144 optional back shown

Side Chair 702-0142 optional back shown

Side Chair 702-1500

Arm Chair 732-8765

Vantage*

Arm Chair 732-8720 optional bookrack shown

Counter Stool 712-1500

Vantage SE*

Side Chair 702-8730 optional bookrack shown

Side Chair 702-8731

*ADDITIONAL MODELS AVAILABLE

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Counter Stool 712-1420

Parlor*

DuroPly*

Arm Chair 732-4765

Side Chair 702-1420

Side Chair 702-8725

Side Chair 702-8737 optional bookrack shown

Arm Chair 732-8737 optional bookrack shown

1.800.537.1530 ph. | SauderEducation. sauderworship.com com

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Product Specs 0

Product

Vantage

Model Number* 702-8720

32”

732-8720

32”

732-8730

32”

702-8730 702-8731 732-8731 702-8725 732-8725 702-8735

Vantage SE

Chair Height

732-8735

702-8739

22 1/2”

32”

23 1/2”

22 1/2”

32”

23 1/2”

Paragon

202-2600

31 1/4”

Plylok

732-8748

32 3/4”

702-8748

38 1/4”

712-3712

702-3201

17 lbs.

23 1/2”

18”

22”

18”

22”

18 1/2”

20”

18 1/2”

24”

18 1/2”

22”

18 1/2”

19 1/4” 19 1/4” 19 1/4” 19 1/4” 19 1/4” 21 1/4” 21 1/4” 19 1/4” 19 1/4”

20 1/2”

20 1/4”

22 1/4”

24”

18”

16 3/4”

23”

17 1/2”

24”

16 3/4”

32 1/2”

22 3/4”

19”

18”

16 3/4”

32 1/2”

22 3/4”

19”

18”

16 3/4”

33 3/4” 31 1/4” 32 3/4” 43 1/4”

Autumn

702-9800

37 1/2”

Deli

702-1430

32”

37 1/2”

20 1/2” 20 1/2” 22 1/4” 23”

22 3/4”

23 3/4” 23 3/4” 20”

17 1/2” 19”

18”

19 1/4”

20 1/4”

32 1/2”

732-9800

19 1/4”

20 1/2”

702-8204 702-8201

18”

732-8737

702-8742

22”

20”

23 1/2”

232-2302

18”

22 1/2”

22”

32”

232-2200

20”

32”

31 3/4”

19 1/4”

18”

202-2200

17 lbs.

18”

20”

32”

19 1/4”

22”

20”

22”

32”

Stack Quantity**

22 1/2” 22 1/2”

32”

Chair Weight

19 1/4”

32” 32”

18”

Seat Width

18”

22 1/2”

32”

20”

Seat Height

22”

32”

Oaklok

18” 18” 18” 18”

28” 18”

25 1/4”

20 1/2”

18 1/2”

18 1/4”

16 1/2”

19 1/4”

25 1/4”

24 1/2”

16 1/2” 17 1/2” 16 3/4” 16 3/4” 16 3/4” 19 3/4” 19 3/4” 16”

19 lbs. 17 lbs. 19 lbs. 17 lbs. 19 lbs. 20 lbs. 22 lbs. 17 lbs. 19 lbs. 18 lbs. 20 lbs. 17 lbs. 19 lbs. 22 lbs. 18 lbs. 22 lbs. 23 lbs. 15 lbs. 15 lbs. 15 lbs. 20 lbs. 23 lbs.

13 lbs.

20”

18 1/4”

17 1/4”

13 lbs.

23”

21 1/2”

18”

19”

18 lbs.

702-1420

32 1/4”

Horizon Mission

732-4765

34”

Parlor

702-1500

34 1/4”

Regal III

702-6053

32 1/2”

20” Models

32”

712-1420 732-0144

702-0142

712-1500 732-6054

40” Models 60” Models

23”

43”

20 1/2”

33”

24 3/4”

33”

24 3/4”

44 1/4”

19 1/4”

32 1/2” 32” 32”

18 3/4”

21 1/2”

17 1/4”

17 lbs.

5 4 6 4 6 4 5 4 5 4 7 4 7 4 7 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0

18 1/2”

19 lbs.

17”

17 1/2”

17”

20 lbs.

22”

18 1/4”

17”

23”

20” & 24 1/4”

23”

17 1/4”

18 lbs.

18 1/4”

22 1/4”

23”

30 3/4”

19”

18 lbs.

22”

25” 25”

18”

16”

17 lbs.

18 1/4”

34”

30 3/4”

17 1/2”

19 lbs.

43 1/4”

732-8765

16 1/2”

18 1/2”

16 1/2”

19 lbs.

712-1430

Duroply Grille

Unity

22”

Chair Width

22”

732-8739 702-8737

Plyfold

Chair Depth

22 1/4”

40” & 44 1/4” 60” & 64 /4” 1

28 3/4”

18 1/2” 17”

16 lbs.

24 lbs.

18”

17 1/2”

17” & 18 1/4”

20”

23 & 24 lbs.

17” & 18 1/4”

60”

54 & 55 lbs.

18”

17” & 18 1/4”

20”

40”

17 lbs.

20 lbs.

37 & 38 lbs.

*702- and 202- model numbers are designated as side chairs whereas 732- and 232- model numbers are arm chairs. 712- models are counter stools. **Maximum stacking quantites are only stacking the chair itself. Adding accessories will decrease the amount able to stack.

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Complementary Furniture

Sharing Your Vision At Sauder Worship Seating, how we do our work – new technologies, new products, new ideas – are always evolving. But our values – how we treat our customers and each other – remain constant. Our ultimate goal is to provide you with an excellent, care free worship furniture buying experience.

Seating Experts

Below is just a sampling of complementary furniture available from Sauder Worship Seating. We can help simplify the selection and ordering process by coordinating other seating areas of your church with what you have selected for your sanctuary.

Your Sauder Worship Seating Sales Representative is a valuable resource. They possess extensive knowledge of the markets we serve, our products, the buying process, scheduling, and installation. You can trust that they will listen carefully to your vision and use their expertise across all areas to fulfill your overall project requirements.

Construction Materials

At Sauder Worship Seating we build our furniture from the finest solid hardwoods. We offer the largest standard specie selection in the industry consisting of Northern red and white oak, cherry, maple, African mahogany, black walnut, and rift sawn Northern red and white oak.

Rally Indulge Arm Chair

Rally Embrace Arm Chair

Arris Arm Chair

Bridge, Rockport Arm Chair

Arris Sofa

Vantage Chair

Clarity™ Auditorium Seating

Pews

Project Management

In addition to your sales representative, a dedicated team of professionals will be assigned specifically to your project providing guidance from start to finish ensuring your satisfaction and peace of mind at every stage of your project.

Design Studio

Customize Your Project

We welcome your ingenuity or that of your architect or designer in customizing the designs of your worship furniture. From pews to pew ends to sanctuary furniture, we have design experts and seasoned craftsmen at your service to assist in bringing your visions to reality.

Church Remodeling

Sauder Manufacturing Co. 930 W. Barre Road P.O. Box 230 Archbold, Ohio 43502-0230 Phone: 419-446-9384 Fax: 419-446-4945 Toll-Free: 800-537-1530 (Canada and USA)

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Pew Selection Guide Specifying Custom Pews for Your Worship Environment

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S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T â&#x20AC;¢ CHURCH EXECUTIVE

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Architectural Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 Pew Body 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Choose Your Pew Body . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Pew End 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Choose Your Pew End. . . . . . . . . 12-13 Supports & Pew Caps . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Options & Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Fabrics, Finishes, & Species . . . . . . 16 Platform Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Next Steps & Target Dates . . . . . . . 19

Supporting Resources in Addition to this Document Internet Resources • Company Overview • Installation Galleries • Design Studio • Product Specifications • CSI Specifications (RepLink)

Literature Resources • Custom Pew Binder • Finish Cards (All Species) • Chair Brochure • Auditorium Seating Brochure • Chancel & Platform Brochure

Demonstration Resources • Product Samples • Hand Samples • Wood Chips • Fabric Cards • Fabric Memo Samples

Initial Customer Questions

What is your desired seating capacity?

Is this new construction or renovation?

Can you describe the flooring materials (e.g. cement, wood, tile, carpet)?

CHURCH EXECUTIVE • S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

What is the style of your floor? (e.g. bowl, sloped, flat, multi-level)

Do you have a building drawing available?

What are your ADA requirements?

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n 1934, a congregation from Defiance Ohio met with Erie Sauder,

a local woodworker, to discuss wood furnishings for their newly renovated worship environment. Erie agreed to guide them through the process of selecting the furniture that best suited their needs and then produced the furniture to their specifications. After completing the job, Mr. Sauder felt such passion and customer satisfaction still guide us each and every day. To date, we have served the furniture needs of over 30,000 congregations like our neighbors in Defiance. We hope that you will find this guide, our materials, website, representatives, and employees a valuable part of selecting the furnishings for your own worship furniture project. For that consideration, we sincerely thank you, and we will work hard to provide you the level of service that our customers have come to expect from the leader in worship furniture. about helping this congregation that he gathered a few friends and relatives to begin a company that could serve the needs of more congregations. That desire became a reality, forming the founding roots of Sauder Worship Seating. Over 70 years later, the same custom pews, millwork, and platform furniture still serve this congregation in Defiance. Erieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s standards on quality, craftsmanship, innovation,

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S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T â&#x20AC;˘ CHURCH EXECUTIVE

Choose Your Architectural Style

Contemporary

Gothic

CHURCH EXECUTIVE â&#x20AC;¢ S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

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Architectural Style

Traditional

Colonial

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S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T â&#x20AC;¢ CHURCH EXECUTIVE

Pew Body 101

Common Pew Terms

"PEW 101" NOMENCLATURE OF CHOICES

Solid Wood Pew Body

Veneered Pew Body ENVELOPE

SOLID BACK CAP

PITCH

PITCH FLAT OR CONTOURED WOOD VENEER BACK

SOLID SEAT NOSING

FLAT OR CONTOURED BACK

SOLID SEAT NOSING

SEAT DEPTH

SEAT HEIGHT

CAP HEIGHT

CONTOURED SEAT

CONTOURED WOOD VENEER SEAT

BACK BOOKRACK

SOLID WOOD PLANKS

SUPPORT

CORE SUPPORT

UNDER SEAT BOOKRACK

BASE SHOE

Upholstered Pew Body

Upholstered Seat Construction

CONCEALED

3 1/4" Thick, 1.8 lb Density, 45 lb Indentation Force Deflection Foam

SOLID BACK CAP High Tensile Strength Face Cover

PITCH SOLID UNDERCAP MOLDING

UPHOLSTERED FRONT of BACK UPHOLSTERY FABRIC

VENEER or FABRIC BACK of BACK

1/8"Thick, 62 lb Hardboard Layer

WIDTH

G BACK FOAM

5/8" Thick Plywood Core*

CAPS APPLIED or ROUTED SYMBOL

SEAT BRACKET SEAT FOAM

CORE

Solid Wood Screw Rail

SUPPORT 1/8" Thick, 62 lb Hardboard Layer

High Tensile Strength Face Cover

*Particle board core available on request BASE SHOE

CHURCH EXECUTIVE â&#x20AC;¢ S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

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The Sauder Worship Seating Difference When considering your pew or bench seating, it is important to know why a manufacturer uses certain building techniques. At Sauder Worship Seating, every style of seat has a contour. Not only does the contour provide maximum seating comfort, it also provides maximum strength over the life of the pew. As with any object that uses upholstery, the foam can eventually become less supportive over the life of the seat. By using a contoured seat for every type of pew, each congregant can

benefit from maximum comfort throughout the life of the product. In addition to the seat contour, Sauder Worship Seating also offers the option of a flat or contoured back. By offering these options, the individual customer can judge for themselves what offers them the best support and appearance. These options are available on both the veneered and solid backs.

SOLID BACK CAP

PITCH UPHOLSTERED FRONT of BACK

Ergonomic Design SOLID UNDERCAP MOLDING

All of our seating products are designed for use in worship settings. The goal of church pew design should be attentive UPHOLSTERY comfort. For many years, office seating manufacturers have utilized ergonomic research to drive their seat designs, FABRIC or FABRIC creating seats that give proper support and provideVENEER attentive comfort for the entire work day. Sauder Worship Seating BACK of BACK applies the same principles in design, creating pews that provide support through the combination of a contoured seat and back and appropriate use of foam. BACK FOAM

When weight rests mainly on a few specific pressure points in the body, as with a flat seat, the uneven pressure creates discomfort. An ergonomically designed seat and back follow the contour of the musculoskeletal system, increasing comfort by greatly supporting the body with appropriate points of contact. SEAT FOAM

CORE

Cushion Options

SUPPORT

At Sauder Worship Seating, we offer our several different options when it comes to the foundation of our upholstered products. Comfort plays a vital role in making any decision related to seating; we offer a variety of options that not only provide comfort, but also offer great quality.

A choice to consider is whether to use conventional or High Resiliency (HR) foam. Foam is measured by a term referred to as Indentation Force Deflection (IFD), which indicates the load bearing capacity of the foam. The larger the number, the more force it takes to D FLOOR ANCHOR compress the foam. Too little force can allow for someone to bottom out, while too much can give a stiff seating experience. HR is a change to the initial foam manufacturing process that helps add support, comfort and resilience or bounce to the foam. HR foam by its nature is a denser product but has a lower IFD. This combination allows for some additional "give" to the foam resulting in a bit softer feel than conventional foam but helps prevent "bottoming out". We have worked hard to find the Back Height right combination in both our conventional and HR foam options to 32" standard; select styles in 38" or 42" heights EDGE MOLD provide comfort without the threat of bottoming out. Pitch PEW END THICKNESS Wood Backs: 5" standard; select styles in 3" In addition to our traditional upholstery, we also offer these Upholstered Backs: 6" standard; select styles in 3" premium cushion options: Radius Our Exclusive Spring Seat: Curved Pews only: 20' minimum; 1/4" increments • Uses a Spring Cartridge System Pew Envelope: 24" • Prevents squeaks common with traditional serpentine springs Seat Height: 17.5" • Provides maximum comfort over the life of the pew Seat Depth REAR Our Patented Definity™ Seating: Standard: 16" VIEW • Uses individual seat cushions Optional: 14", 15", or 18" • Gives look of traditional pew while maximizing Substrate Thickness seating capacity Upholstered Back: 5/8" • Allows for easy event planning and ticket sales, if desired Wood Back: 3/4" • Is offered with or without wood dividers Seats: 7/8"

Frequently Used Pew Dimensions

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S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T • CHURCH EXECUTIVE

Choose Your Pew Body

Circle Your Pew Body Selection

Radius Construction Solid Wood Seat, Veneer* Back

4192

Radius/curved

Upholstered Seat, Veneer* Back 4198

Radius/curved

Upholstered Construction: Seat Only Solid Wood Back, Contoured Upholstered Seat

1026

Contoured

1126

Flat

1426

Flat, Open

Veneer* Back, Contoured Upholstered Seat 8226

4026

Shaped

4126 Flat

5426

Flat 38" High

8326

Flat 42" High

Flat, Open

Definity® Seating: All Upholstered Construction pew bodies available with Definity cushion (XX36: No dividers, XX46: Dividers) * Plywood core is standard on all pews; particle board core available for straight pews upon request (particle board not available for radius pews)

CHURCH EXECUTIVE • S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

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All Wood Construction Solid Wood Back, Contoured Solid Wood Seat

1006

1106

1406

Flat

Flat, Open

Pew Body

Contoured

Veneer* Back, Contoured Veneer* Seat 8316

8216

4016

4116

Shaped

Flat

5416

Flat 42" High

Flat 38" High

Flat, Open

Upholstered Construction: Seat and Back Upholstered Back, Upholstered Seat, Uph. or Veneer* Back of Back

6726 (v) 6426 (u)

Wedge Cushion

Uph. Back indicated with (u)

7426 (v) 7526 (u)

Ergo Cushion

7226 (v) 7326 (u)

5526 (v) 7526 (u)

2-Piece

Flat

8426 (v) 8626 (u)

8526 (v) 8726 (u)

1¼" Cushion Flat 38" High

1¼" Cushion Flat 42" High

Veneer Back indicated with (v)

Definity® Seating: All Upholstered Construction pew bodies available with Definity cushion (XX36: No dividers, XX46: Dividers) * Plywood Core is Standard; Particleboard Core Available Upon Request

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S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T • CHURCH EXECUTIVE

BOOKRACK BASE SHOE BASE SHOE

Pew End 101

CONCEALED FLOOR ANCHOR CONCEALED FLOOR ANCHOR

Common Pew End Terms

"PEW 101" NOMENCLATURE OF CHOICES

Full End SOLID BACK CAP

UPHOLSTERY FABRIC

BACK FOAM

SEAT HEIGHT

CAP HEIGHT

PEW ENDPEW END THICKNESS THICKNESS

VENEER or FABRIC BACK of BACK

CAPS

SUPPORT

CORE

SOLID UNDERCAP MOLDING

SOLID SEAT NOSING

SEAT DEPTH

CAPS

EDGE MOLD EDGE MOLD

UPHOLSTERED FRONT of BACK

CONTOURED WOOD VENEER SEAT

BACK BOOKRACK

APPLIED or APPLIED or ROUTED SYMBOL ROUTED SYMBOL

SOLID BACK CAP PITCH

FLAT OR CONTOURED WOOD VENEER BACK

WIDTH WIDTH

Cantilevered End

ENVELOPE

PITCH

SEAT BRACKET SEAT BRACKET

CORE

SEAT FOAM

REAR VIEW

SUPPORT UNDER SEAT BOOKRACK BASE SHOE

CONCEALED FLOOR ANCHOR

BASE SHOE BASE SHOE

EDGE MOLD WIDTH

CANTILEVER CANTILEVER PEW END DIMENSION THICKNESS DIMENSION

2 PLY 2 PLY MDF 5 PLY2 PLY Pew End Construction

5 PLY

CAPS

APPLIED or ROUTED SYMBOL

REAR VIEW

SEAT BRACKET

5-Ply Solid Hardwood Flitch Glued

2-Ply Solid Hardwood

MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard, for painted ends only)

BASE SHOE

Hardwood Veneer Face CANTILEVER DIMENSION

EndConstruction

Solid Hardwood Core

Solid Hardwood Planks

Cross Banding

EndConstruction

Top View

Exploded Top View

(without cap)

Butcher Block Planks

Staggered Planks

CHURCH EXECUTIVE â&#x20AC;¢ S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

Solid MDF Panel

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MANUFACTURING COMPANY

1/27/11

Pew End Edge Mold Selections StdEdgeMold.dwg

StdEdgeMold.dwg

EM-1

StdEdgeMold.dwg

EM-6

Check Box Below Your Edge Mold Selection

EM-3

EM-4

EM-7

EM-8

EM-10

EM-20

R\Sup Const-Style Const-Style Base Shoe Base Shoe

EM-9

SAU DE R S AU DE R MANUFACTURING COMPANY

AU DE R SAU DE R SMANUFACTURING COMPANY MANUFACTURING COMPANY 12/3/01

12/3/01 MANUFACTURING COMPANY

Symbols 12/3/01 MANUFACTURING COMPANY

S AU DE R

S AU DE R 12/3/01 MANUFACTURING COMPANY

S AU DE R

12/3/01 MANUFACTURING COMPANY

12/3/01

SAU DE R S AU DE R

S AU DE R 12/3/01 MANUFACTURING COMPANY

12/3/01 MANUFACTURING COMPANY

12/3/01

S AU DE R

MANUFACTURING COMPANY 12/3/01

12/3/01

Select Your Base Shoe

S AU DE R 12/3/01 MANUFACTURING COMPANY

Projected (PB)

12/3/01

Recessed (RB)

Select • Width: 2 3/8" • Height: 2 3/4"

Laser Etched

Routed

Applied

Personalized Pew Ends Want more control in creating a unique look for your facility? Our Personalized Pew End Kit will give you the tools you need to express your creativity. We’ll take care to provide the perfect execution of your design!

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• Width: 1 3/4" • Height: 2 3/4"

Pew end base shoes are constructed of solid wood and are used on full pew ends only.

PB PROJECTED BASE (FULL ENDS ONLY)

RB PB PROJECTED RECESSED BASE BASE (FULL ENDS (FULL ONLY) ENDS ONLY)

RB FB RECESSED FLUSH BASEBASE (FULL ENDS (SUPPORTS ONLY) ONLY)

Colonial Pew End Caps BASE SHOES

BASE SHOES

3/8" = 1'-0"

F FLUSH (SUPPORT

Select

Select Cap Style #18

Cap Style #23

S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T • CHURCH EXECUTIVE

Choose Your Pew End Contemporary

302-2315

302-2130

302-2597

302-2587

302-2582

302-2598

302-2511

302-2592

302-2288

302-2200

Gothic

302-4109

302-4160

302-4251

302-4252

302-4309

302-4360

302-4509

302-4709

302-4760

302-4785

302-4909

302-4984

CHURCH EXECUTIVE â&#x20AC;¢ S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

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Traditional

302-1301

302-1305

302-1306

302-1308

302-1323

302-1346

302-1356

302-1361

302-1365

302-1370

302-1371

302-4120

302-3100

302-3101

302-3102

302-3103

302-3104

302-4400

Colonial

302-1705

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302-1725

302-1739

Pew End

Customize your pew ends with standard or custom routs and a variety of pew end caps!

Circle Your Pew End Selection

All colonial ends are also available in 8 solid wood species

302-1755

302-1761

302-1765

S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T â&#x20AC;˘ CHURCH EXECUTIVE

Supports & Pew Back CapsSee--To Update To ToUpdate Update back To Update back ofback This of of back Page This ThisPage of See--Page ThisSee--See--Page

pdate back of This Page See---

H:\HFA\WORD\CUSTOM H:\HFA\WORD\CUSTOM H:\HFA\WORD\CUSTOM H:\HFA\WORD\CUSTOM PEWPEW BINDER\Sup PEWBINDER\Sup BINDER\Sup PEW BINDER\Sup Const-Style Const-Style Const-Style Const-Style BaseBase Shoe BaseShoe Sho Base Supports

FA\WORD\CUSTOM PEW BINDER\Sup Const-Style Base Shoe Step 1: Select your support style (model number 5 is not used)

10/19/94 10/19/94 ated Updated 5/18/00 5/18/00

10/19/94 Updated 5/18/00

ated Updated 8/23/00 8/23/00 ated Updated 6/6/026/6/02

Updated 8/23/00 Updated 6/6/02

ack of This See---See--kate of back This Page ofPage This See--Page RD\CUSTOM PEW BINDER\Sup Const-Style Base ShoeShoe \CUSTOM \WORD\CUSTOM PEW BINDER\Sup PEW BINDER\Sup Const-Style Const-Style Base Shoe Base Tapered Edge

Vertical Edge

7 Tapered Edge

SMC\Custom Pew Binder\supports SMC\Custom Pew Binder\supports SMC\Custom Pew Binder\supports

Front edges always tapered Vertical Required with Kneelers or Add-on High Backs

Standard

High Backs 6 - 6" taller than standard 7 - 10" PB taller than standard

Vertical Required for radius body

H Style

# #

RB RECESSED BASE (FULL ENDS ONLY)

(typically used on balcony risers)

PROJECTED BASE (FULL ENDS ONLY)

(SU

( STA

BASE SHOES

10 11 13 14

3/8" = 1'-0"

Step 2: Select your support edge profile* Step 3: Your Support Selection PB RB FB PB PB RB FB RB FB PROJECTED BASE PROJECTED RECESSED BASE RECESSED FLUSH BASE PROJECTED BASE RECESSEDBASE BASE FLUSH BASE BASE FLUSH BASE (FULL ENDS ONLY) (FULL (FULL ENDS ONLY) (FULL (FULL ENDS ONLY) (FULL ENDS ENDS ONLY) ONLY) (SUPPORTS ENDS(SUPPORTS ONLY) ONLY) ONLY) (SUPPORTS ONLY)

NOTE: 2ND DIGIT OF 2-DIGIT STANDARD SUPPORT NUMBER

FULL SIZE SECTIONS

ING COMPANY

3/8" = 1'-0"3/8" = 1'-0"

3/8" = 1'-0"

STA

MANUFACTURING COMPANY R

Solid, Butcher Block Solid, Butcher Block Radius Edge Edge MANUFACTURING MANUFACTURING MANUFACTURING COMPANY COMPANY MANUFACTURING COMPANYBeveled COMPANY

COMPANY

Support selections are two-digit numbers that are made up by your support style selection followed by your edge profile BASE SHOES BASE SHOES BASE SHOES selection. For example, if you have a 6" high back pew with a beveled edge profile, your support selection is 65. Fill in your support selection below.

NOTE: 2ND DIGIT OF NOTE: 2-DIGIT NOTE: 2ND DIGIT 2NDOF DIGIT 2-DIGIT OF 2-DIGIT NOTE: 2ND DIGIT OF 2-DIGIT Solid, 2 Ply STANDARD SUPPORT STANDARD NUMBER STANDARD SUPPORT SUPPORT NUMBER NUMBER STANDARD SUPPORT NUMBER FULL SIZE SECTIONS FULL SIZE FULLSECTIONS SIZE SECTIONS FULL SIZE SECTIONS Radius Edge MANUFACTURING MANUFACTURING MANUFACTURING COMPANY COMPANY MANUFACTU COMPA Your Support Selection is:

DIGIT OFNOTE: 2-DIGIT NOTE: 2NDNOTE: DIGIT2ND OF 2-DIGIT 2ND DIGIT OF 2-DIGIT SUPPORT NUMBER SUPPORT NUMBER SUPPORT NUMBER STANDARD SIZE SECTIONSFULL SIZE SECTIONS STANDARDSTANDARD FULL SIZE FULL SECTIONS

(Only standard with Radius Pew Body)

MANUFACTURING COMPANY COMPANY MANUFACTURING COMPANY MANUFACTURING

* Additional support construction options available on request. To specify, use one of the following number selections in the green "Edge Profile" circle at right. (0) for veneer face and edgeband (1) for veneer face and solid edge band with beveled edge (4) for veneer face and solid edge band with radius edge

Support Style

SMC\Custom Pew Binder\supports

Edge Profile

MANU

Pew Back Caps Solid Wood Base Shoe Option for Cantilevered End Supports Only Standard suppor ts do not have a base shoe, but one can be added as an option. This base shoe will be used only on the end supports closest to your cantilevered ends.

PB PROJECTED BASE (FULL ENDS ONLY)

Flush (FB)

Oval (standard) Select to add

RB RECESSED BASE (FULL ENDS ONLY)

FB FLUSH BASE (SUPPORTS ONLY)

Flat (optional)

Check Box to Make Your Pew Cap Selection

BASE SHOES 3/8" = 1'-0"

CHURCH EXECUTIVE â&#x20AC;¢ S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

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Options & Accessories Check Box to Make Your Frontal Selection(s)

Frontal Options

All frontals available with ends to match pew end selection (pgs 12-13) Radius frontals available (2106 body only)

415-2106 with 450-2108 End

415-2183 with 450-2106 End

415-4100 Veneer 415-4111 Solid Wood

415-4105 with 450-4109 End

415-4105 with 501-4909 End

Pew and Frontal Accessories

Support Selection

Circle Your Selections

415-1705 with 450-1705 End

Pew Cap

415-4105 with 405-4201 End

415-1700 with 450-1701 End

308-0001 3-Book 308-0401 3-Book, Radius

308-0378 4-Book 308-0478 4-Book, Radius

308-0143 Continuous 308-0443 Continuous, Radius

309-0012 Wood Kneeler 309-0412 Wood Kneeler, Radius

308-0547 Underseat 4-Book Please Select Front or Rear Opening Also available 2-Book or Continuous

313-0006 Card, Communion Cup and Pencil Holder - Select as shown or surface mounted outside book rack

313-0007 Card and Pencil Holder Select as shown or surface mounted outside book rack

309-0014 Metal Kneeler

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Fabrics, Finishes, & Species •

Sauder Worship Seating offers nine standard wood species and a wide range of customer requested wood species

•

We offer hundreds of standard fabric patterns and associated color palettes

•

We work with multiple national fabric mills and fabric distributors to keep our fabric offering fresh and current

•

To help narrow your fabric, wood specie, and wood finish selection we suggest visiting the fabric and finish gallery on SauderWorship.com

•

To see fabric and finish selections on our products, visit the Design Studio at SauderWorship.com. This tool can help you narrow down your fabric, finish, and product selection before you order finish and fabric samples.

View Our Fabrics, Finishes, and Species at SauderWorship.com •

Physical samples of over 200 combinations of wood species and finish colors, as well as hundreds of fabric colors and patterns are available for customers who need assistance making their final selections

•

Once your selection has been narrowed, fabric and wood samples can be ordered through your Sauder Worship Seating representative

Our Fabric Pattern Is:

Our Fabric Color Is:

Our Wood Species Is:

Feat a ne uring w fi palet nish te!

Our Finish Color Is:

CHURCH EXECUTIVE • S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

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Platform Furniture

For more information on our chancel and platform products and capabilities, reference our Chancel & Platform Brochure

he platform is often the most unique and important design space in your sanctuary. We understand that there are no two worship facilities alike, and we embrace the ideas and desires you have for your platform furnishings. If you, your architect, or your designer have specific designs in mind, share them with your Sauder Worship Seating representative and we will create detailed drawings of your concept. Once the drawings meet your needs, our seasoned craftsmen will work hard to make your ideas come to life. Pictured here is a small sampling of the platform furniture items our craftsman have built for our valued customers. If you are in need of ideas, please visit the installation galleries on our web site or contact your local Sauder Worship Seating representative. Our web address is:

Wood Species & Finish

www.sauderworship.com

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Appendix PeoPle Won’t Sit the Way you think they Will When you’re at the planning stages of building a new church, or replacing pews in your existing building, you’ll want to know how many people your new space will be able to seat. First you’ll need to answer this question how much space are you going to allow each person to take up? According to code, a 15-foot (180") pew will fit ten people. That’s sitting shoulder-toshoulder for the entire length of the pew.

According to research on the way people actually sit, a 15-foot (180") pew will fit only seven people.

Building Code RequiRementS Building code, which is what architects and builders are required to use to determine seating capacity, says to allow 18" of seating per person. To put this into perspective, think about how much room you have in a coach seat of an airplane. Regulation airline seats

This chart will help you to determine the number of feet of pews required for the number of people you wish to seat

18"

19"

20"

21"

22"

23"

24"

25"

26"

27"

100

150

158

167

175

183

192

200

208

217

225

200

300

317

333

350

367

383

400

417

433

450

300

450

475

500

525

550

575

600

625

650

675

400

600

633

667

700

733

767

800

833

867

900

500

750

792

833

875

917

958

1000

1042

1083

1125

600

900

950

1000

1050

1100

1150

1200

1250

1300

1350

800

1200

1267

1333

1400

1467

1533

1600

1667

1733

1800

1000

1500

1583

1667

1750

1833

1917

2000

2083

2167

2250

2000

3000

3167

3333

3500

3667

3833

4000

4167

4333

4500

3000

4500

4750

5000

5250

5500

5750

6000

6250

6500

6750

4000

6000

6333

6667

7000

7333

7667

8000

8333

8667

9000

CHURCH EXECUTIVE • S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

FEET OF PEW REQUIRED

INCHES PER PERSON

NUMBER OF PEOPLE

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Next Steps & Target Dates 1. Review the Customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Selections (see tabs)

Target Completion Date

Approved By:

Sauder Worship Seating Representative

Date

Facility Representative / Committee

Date

Facility Representative / Committee

Date

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Complementary Furniture

Sharing Your Vision At Sauder Worship Seating, how we do our work – new technologies, new products, new ideas – is always evolving. But our values – how we treat our customers and each other – remain constant. Our ultimate goal is to provide you with an excellent, care free worship furniture buying experience.

Seating Experts

Construction Materials

At Sauder Worship Seating we build our furniture from the finest solid hardwoods. We offer the largest standard specie selection in the industry, consisting of Northern Red and White Oak, Cherry, Maple, African Mahogany, Black Walnut, and rift sawn Northern Red and White Oak.

Rally Indulge Arm Chair

Rally Embrace Arm Chair

Arris Arm Chair

Bridge, Rockport Arm Chair

Bevel Mission Sofa

Clarity™ Auditorium Seating

Grille Cafe Stool

Cafe Table

Project Management

Design Studio Experience our new industry-first product and visualization tool available at sauderworship.com. We’re confident you will find this value added tool extremely beneficial (and fun, too!) in your initial product, fabric and finish considerations. Note: Final fabric and finish selections should be made after viewing actual samples available from your sales representative.

Customize Your Project

Church Remodeling

Sauder Manufacturing Co. 930 W. Barre Road Archbold, Ohio 43502-0230 Phone: 419-446-9384 Fax: 419-446-4945 Toll-Free: 800-537-1530 (Canada and USA)

sauderworship.com

E-mail Address: sales@sauderworship.com Manufacturing Member

CHURCH EXECUTIVE • S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

WS04670213 02/2014

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Floor planning makes all the difference By Amanda Opdycke

Congratulations! You and your congregation have made the decision to invest in new sanctuary seating.

Now what? There are a number of details to consider as you move forward, among which is floor planning — a primary concern. This eBook is intended to give you a general sense of what you might need to think about as you and your architect or designer move forward, including the type of seating you might use in the sanctuary space. Knowing the type of seating you intend to use will provide a better definition of the worship space, as well as assist in the decisionmaking process. Sauder Worship Seating™ often collaborates with the architect and designer as another member of the team. Our experienced, in-field sales representatives are prepared to answer any question you might have, and our in-house CAD team members will also work with the sales representative and the architects and designers throughout the process. Seating style Every congregation will need to determine the style of seat that will satisfy its needs.The decision to purchase straight pews, Radiance™ curved pews, flexible chairs or auditorium seating will impact the overall worship experience, individual comfort, and how the worship space is used. If your congregation is more traditional in its worship style, then it’s likely pews will be chosen. There are a variety of pew options in the market that have the ability to create a diverse range of experiences. Sauder Worship Seating is known as a premiere manufacturer of pews, ranging from traditional straight to multimitered pews, and Radiance curved pews. If you are looking to achieve a warm, welcoming experience where the parishioners are engaged in the service as a community, Radiance curved pews are the best option. The degree of the radius or curve of the pew will vary upon the layout and space of the sanctuary. Auditorium-style seating is often used in more contemporary churches who still want to have a dedicated worship space that can be used for weekly services, as well as concerts or plays for the community. Currently, Sauder Worship Seating has two back styles that provide a congregation the ability to match the existing aesthetic of the sanctuary. The Clarity back was launched eight years ago and was our first endeavor into the auditorium seating world. It provides a sleek, contemporary design with a decorative horizontal tuck across the back. We have since added the Vista back as a new option, which offers an arched or rounded back as a design choice. Both styles provide the level of comfort and quality expected from Sauder Worship Seating. We also offer wide seat and back options, as well as high-back options. Auditorium seating from Sauder Worship Seating can also be used in straight or curved layouts. Flexible chairs are the best option if your church will need to use the worship space in various ways throughout the week. In today’s world, many of us are spending time at church not only to come together as a congregation but also through community needs. Due to the flexible

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(Above) People are seated on a pew allowing 18 inches per person; most will not naturally want to sit this close together. (Below) People are more likely to spread further away from each other and settle into their seat s as the worship service begins.

nature of the church, the seating might need to be equally flexible. Sauder Worship Seating has a variety of wood chairs that can be used to create the worship space you need for weekly services, as well as creating a space that can be used throughout the week for community dinners, meetings and events. One of the more popular flexible chair options is our Vantage chair. It comes with a variety of accessories and can be interlocked together in straight or curved rows. Comfort vs. capacity Once the style of seat has been determined, the next important step is to decide whether maximum comfort or maximum capacity is desired. While most churches will want to create a layout that will satisfy both, renovating an existing space might prove that to be difficult. Most seating companies and building codes requires 18 inches per person on a pew. For example, if you have a 12-foot pew, you will be able to fit eight people on that pew. Basic math will confirm if you have two banks of 10 pews, at 12 feet each, your seating capacity will be 160 people. However, the way people actually sit in a pew, it’s more likely that each person will take up closer to 23 to 25 inches per person. To achieve a realistic capacity expectation, you might want to use individual-style seating, such as flexible chairs, auditorium seating or Sauder Worship Seating Definity™ pews, which is the best way to predictably maximize the seating capacity of your worship space. Definity is designed to be exceptionally practical and provides individually defined seating while maintaining the traditional look and feel of a pew. Another aspect of how comfort and capacity can be impacted is back-toback spacing. This spacing will impact the layout of the worship space, no matter the style you choose. Sauder Worship Seating recommends a backto-back spacing of 36 inches from the back of one row to the next. This provides enough space to move through the row comfortably and without concern of tripping over a foot, the leg of the chair or the support of the pew. Some building codes will allow for less back-to-back spacing, but it’s likely to result in a significant level of discomfort for the parishioner while in the seated position. Taller parishioners will likely have to deal Above: Sauder Worship Seating auditorium style seat — Clarity back with medium wood aisle panel and wood flip-up arms S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T • CHURCH EXECUTIVE

with their knees hitting the back of the chair or pew in front of them. It will also create a difficult path while traversing down the row.

Above: This chart will help you determine the number of feet of pews required for the number of people you wish to seat

Architect and CAD drawing Architects and designers might need to work collaboratively with the seating manufacturer to achieve the best layout possible to solve any seating challenges throughout the process. The architect will also need to define aisle and egress patterns, such as whether to have center or side aisles and how wide the aisles should be. If you are renovating, then the ability to adjust aisles might be more limited. The architect will also need to keep in mind focal points and sight lines. Since the goal of the worship experience is to provide God’s word to parishioners, clear sight lines to the altar and stage area will be necessary.

At right: Sauder Worship Seating Vantage chair can be interlocked together to create straight or radius rows; popular in combinationseating configurations.

ADA compliance The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the code used throughout the United States to ensure all Americans have equal access into buildings and designated handicapped spaces for seating. ADA includes parking spaces, too. Some architects might choose to use the International Building Code, which is similar to ADA. The codes are based on seating capacity and will impact the flow of the worship space. The handicap spaces can be a designated location or by using wider aisles. Throughout the process of purchasing seats, create an open dialogue between the church committee, architect and seating manufacturer. Doing so will ensure everyone involved understands seating capacity needs and the aesthetics of the worship space, and will also ensure successful installation. Sauder Worship Seating auditorium style seat — Vista back with large wood aisle panel

CHURCH EXECUTIVE • S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

Amanda Opdycke is Worship Market Manager at Sauder Worship Seating in Archbold, OH. www.sauderworship.com

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Case Study: Apex Baptist Church Apex, North Carolina “When we set out looking for new seating options in our worship center, Sauder’s versatility, quality and service made them the right choice,” John Mark Harrison, Lead Pastor at Apex Baptist Church. Apex Baptist Church is a shining example of how to achieve a multi-faceted application of worship seating products into one space with one purpose in mind - sharing God’s word. Originally, the committee at Apex Baptist Church wanted to use auditorium seating exclusively. As the project progressed and the Sauder team began to understand the needs of the congregation, the seating layout developed into a combination of Clarity auditorium seats, Radiance™ curved pews and mitered pews in the balcony with the first row made up of metal flexible chairs. The various seating options provide the best possible use of the interior space. The main floor of the sanctuary has one row of metal flexible chairs, the second row uses Radiance curved pews, followed by several rows of Clarity auditorium seating. The curved aisles lead to the altar and further enhance the sense of community the curved application of the seating provides. The balcony also uses a combination of seating options including four rows of Clarity auditorium seating with a back row of mitered pews conforming to the back wall. The ability to combine different types of seating allowed for maximum seating capacity varying from traditional pews to contemporary auditorium seats. The worship space continues to evoke a traditional feeling through the use of pew end on the aisles throughout the worship space. The Sauder team worked with Apex Baptist Church throughout the process to provide as many options on floor planning as possible which resulted in a successful worship space.

sauderworship.com

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When we set out looking for new seating options in our worship center, Sauder’s versatility, quality, and service made them the right choice. Shawn Beal worked with us throughout the entire process of seat and pew selection, order, and install to ensure we got everything we needed. The seating design maximized space and helped create an environment where young adults and senior adults enjoy gathering to worship. -John Mark Harrison Lead Pastor, Apex Baptist Church Apex, NC

S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T • CHURCH EXECUTIVE

Radia

R69'-1 1/4"

5 @ 22 1/2",1

6 @ 21 1/2",4 @ 22" @ 24" ,5 1 @ 24"

7 @ 21",4 @ 21 1/2"

4 @ 21 1/2",2

1/2",2 4 @ 21

10 @ 20 1/2",2 @ 21" 4 @ 20 1/2",2

1/2",2 4 @ 20

@ 24" ,1 4 @ 24"

6 @ 20 1/2", 7 @ 21"

4 @ 22 1/2",1

@ 24"

R69'-1 1/4"

1 @ 21",1 2 @ 21 1/2" 3 @ 22" ,2

@ 22 1/2"

5 @ 22 1/2",1

@ 24"

3 @ 21 1/2",2

4 @ 21 1/2",2 2 @ 21" ,3 4 @ 20 1/2",2

@ 22"

@ 22" @ 21 1/2" @ 21"

4 @ 21" ,1 @ 21 1/2" 1 @ 22 1/2",4 @ 24" 4 @ 21" ,1 @ 21 1/2"

4 @ 22 1/2",1

@ 24"

3 @ 21" ,2 @ 21 1/2"

3 @ 22" ,2

@ 22 1/2"

5 @ 21 1/2"

3 @ 21 1/2",2

@ 22"

5 @ 22" 2 @ 21" ,3

@ 22"

@ 21"

9 @ 21 1/2", 3 @ 22" 1 @ 22 1/2",4

1/2" @ 22

@ 22"

@ 21 1/2"

5 @ 22 1/2"

4 @ 21" ,1 @ 21 1/2" 5 @ 22 1/2"

4 @ 21" ,1 @ 21 1/2"

3 @ 21" ,2 @ 21 1/2"

,2 3 @ 22"

,5 1 @ 24"

7 @ 21",4 @ 21 1/2"

1/2",2 4 @ 21

10 @ 20 1/2",2 @ 21" 10 @ 21",4 @ 21 1/2"

1/2" @ 21 21",3

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1/2"

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6 @ 20 1/2", 7 @ 21"

4 @ 21",1 0 @ 21 1/2"

4@ ,4 1 @ 24"

1 @ 21",1 2 @ 21 1/2"

12 @ 22",1 @ 22 1/2"

,2 3 @ 22"

13 @ 21",1 @ 21 1/2"

1/2" @ 21 21",1

1/2"

@ 22"

5 @ 22"

10 @ 21",4 @ 21 1/2"

6 @ 21 1/2",7 @ 22"

1/2" @ 21 21",3

5 @ 22

5 @ 21",9 @ 21 1/2"

1/2" @ 21

1/2" 5 @ 22 1/2" ,1 @ 21 4 @ 21"

6 @ 22 1/2"

20",1

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1/2" @ 21 21",2

1 @ 20 1/2",12 @ 21"

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20",1

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5 @ 21 1/2" 13 @ 21",1 @ 21 1/2"

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1 @ 20 1/2",12 @ 21"

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1 @ 20 1/2",12 @ 21" @ 20

1/2"

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7 @ 20 1/2"

@ 20

1/2" @ 22

5 @ 21

8 @ 20 1/2",6 @ 21"

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1/2" @ 21 21",2

1/2",2 3 @ 21

4 @ 20 1/2", 10 @ 21"

1/2" @ 22

7 @ 21",7 @ 21 1/2"

@ 21"

1/2",2 4 @ 20

5 @ 21",9 @ 21 1/2"

@ 22"

9 @ 21 1/2", 3 @ 22"

4 @ 21",1 0 @ 21 1/2"

1/2" @ 22

1/2",2 3 @ 21

4 @ 20 1/2", 10 @ 21"

Radiance

1/2" @ 22 24",4

6 @ 21 1/2",4 @ 22" 12 @ 22",1 @ 22 1/2"

@ 21"

1/2" @ 22

@ 20

O D D

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1/2" 5 @ 21

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5 @ 22 1/2"

5 @ 22"

6 @ 21 1/2",7 @ 22"

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1/2" 5 @ 22

5 @ 22 1/2"

7 @ 20 1/2"

About Apex Baptist Church

1/2" 5 @ 22

O D D

6 @ 22 1/2"

Apex Baptist Church in Apex, NC is located about 20 minutes outside Raleigh. Apex Baptist Church has served the community for many years based on the vision to make Disciples of Christ as an authentic community of believers worshipping God everywhere they go, becoming more like Him everyday and serving everyone they meet. To learn more about Apex Baptist Church visit www.apexbaptist.org.

About Sauder Worship Seating

Sauder Worship Seating™, a brand of Sauder Manufacturing Co., began in 1934 in northwest Ohio with small, custom orders for worship seating. The company’s reputation for handcrafted, top quality work became its springboard for expansion as increasing needs and changing church trends prompted the Sauder family to introduce new seating solutions and worship accessories. Today, Sauder Worship Seating blends skilled craftsmen, modern technology, and quality materials to create some of the world’s best worship furniture. More information about Sauder Worship Seating may be found online at sauderworship.com

Sauder Manufacturing Co. 930 W. Barre Road PO Box 230 Archbold, Ohio 43502-0230

sauderworship.com

Phone: 419-446-9384 Fax: 419-446-4945 800-537-1530 (Canada and USA) E-mail Address: sales@sauderworship.com

Manufacturing Member

CHURCH EXECUTIVE • S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

8/2015

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.......

........

Plyfold Definity churchexecutive.com

The confidence that comes from working with the leader.

S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T â&#x20AC;˘ CHURCH EXECUTIVE

Definity |

Define Your Worship Space

Definity seating is the best way to predictably maximize the seating capacity of your worship space. Designed to be exceptionally practical and comfortable, Definity allows you to make optimum use of your seating space with individually defined seating areas, while still providing a sense of community only bench-style seating provides. Features & Benefits: • Available on all Sauder pew body and end styles, in 19”, 20”, 21” or 22” seat widths • Reduces the potential for fabric wrinkling and allows more fabric options as compared to standard pews • Allows ushers to see exactly how many seats are available in each row • Each individual cushion is removable, making cleaning and re-upholstery a snap • Seats can be numbered for concerts and events

Idlewild Baptist Church, Lutz, FL

Each individual ergonomically contoured seat features a waterfall edge and is removable for easy repair.

CHURCH EXECUTIVE • S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

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Top Right and Left Photo: Christ Community Church, Laguna Hills, CA; Middle Right Photo:West Side Baptist Church, Simpsonville, SC; Bottom Right Photo: Park Christian Reformed Church, Holland, MI

Optional 1-1/2” dividers further define each seat.

How Many People Fit in a Pew? According to code, eighteen inches is how much space a person needs in a pew. However, as we know, that doesn’t always reflect reality. In a typical pew, congregants may spread out or squeeze together, causing either wasted space or discomfort. Definity seating provides each person ample, individualized space while still helping you predict and maintain maximum seating capacity.

Too Tight.

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Too Loose.

Just Right.

S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T • CHURCH EXECUTIVE

Seating Experts

Construction Materials

Bevel Mission Arm Chair

Bevel Mission Arm Sofa

Tetra Wood Arm Chair

Tetra Wood Arm 2 Seat Loveseat

Tetra Wood Arm 3 Seat Bench

Clarity™ Auditorium Seating

Grille Cafe Stool

Cafe Table

Project Management

In addition to your sales representative, a dedicated team of in-house professionals will be assigned specifically to your project, providing guidance from start to finish. This will ensure your satisfaction and peace-of-mind through every stage of your project.

Design Studio

Experience our new industry-first product and visualization tool available at sauderworship.com. We’re confident you will find this value added tool extremely beneficial (and fun, too!) in your initial product, fabric and finish considerations. Note: Final fabric and finish selections should be made after viewing actual samples available from your sales representative.

Customize Your Project

Church Remodeling

Sauder Manufacturing Co. 930 W. Barre Road Archbold, Ohio 43502-0230

www.sauderworship.com

Phone: 419-446-9384 Fax: 419-446-4945 Toll-Free: 800-537-1530 (Canada and USA) E-mail Address: sales@sauderworship.com

CHURCH EXECUTIVE • S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

WS00121209 06/2012

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Case Study: Floor Layout Options Sauder Worship Seating™ offers a variety of products capable of satisfying any challenge that may be presented due to floor planning layouts. Whether the need is traditional straight pews, curved pews, auditorium seating or flexible chairs, this case study provides the detail in understanding how to determine which will solve your seating needs.

Seating Layout Scale: 1/4" = 1'-0" Scale: 1/4" = 1'-0"

Designed for:

Designed By: .............................. Gina Wakeham Toll Free: ....................... 800-537-1530 Ext. 3264 Fax: .......................................................... 419-446-4945 Email: ..... gwakeham@sauderworship.com

Order # ...................................... Drawing # ................. 11683-01 Date: ................................ 6/25/15 ...... ...... ......

Revisions .................................................. ..................................................

In the Round Chair Layout

.................................................. ..................................................

Radial Chair Layout

Flexible Chairs

Sauder Worship Seating™ offers a comprehensive line of flexible chairs. Providing the opportunity to create a variety of floor layouts while maintaining the ability to remove the chairs and the use the same space for other purposes. This is a popular seating option if the overall space of the church is limited and other activities need to be held in the same room at different times throughout the week. All of our chairs have the ability to be interlocked together which creates stability within the rows. The chairs include a full line of accessories including book racks, card/pencil holders and kneelers.

sauderworship.com

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Straight Chair Layout

S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T • CHURCH EXECUTIVE

Straight Bank Pew Layout

Multi Mitered Pew Layout

16 15

Traditionally, pews have been the go-to seating option for worship spaces. That isn’t necessarily the case any longer, but for congregations who want to continue the traditional feel of pews within their sanctuary, the floor layout is vital. The most common style is a straight pew layout. It is easy to achieve focus on the altar while keeping straight aisles as well. By creating various lengths of pews, this allows the aisles to flow through the sanctuary in a harmonious way. Mitered pews are another way to achieve a worship in-the-round feel but with a straight style of pew. Again, the pews are laid out in a way that directs attention to the altar. The final option for traditional pews is Radiance™, which is Sauder Worship Seating’s curved pew. The use of curved pews creates a feeling of warmth within the congregation as well as maintaining clear, continuous sight lines toward the altar.

Pews

Radiance™ Curved Pew Layout

sauderworship.com

250

CHURCH EXECUTIVE • S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

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Straight Banks of Auditorium Seating Layout

Auditorium Seating

Auditorium style seating is an innovative way of creating an exciting experience for congregations. Sauder Worship Seating™ has developed two auditorium seating options for churches interested in a more contemporary style of worship – Clarity and Vista. The layouts presented on this page provide some insight into how the use of auditorium seating can update the look of a sanctuary. The size of the sanctuary can impact the location of where the seating is used such as on the main floor of a sanctuary or used only in the balcony. The layout located at right is a good example of using auditorium seating along with traditional pews. This can be beneficial when attention to transition areas on the floor need to be addressed and can be solved by utilizing a combination of seating options. Auditorium accessories include book racks, card/cup/pencil holders and drink holders.

Combination of Auditorium & Mitered Pew Layout

About Sauder Worship Seating

Sauder Manufacturing Co. 930 W. Barre Road PO Box 230 Archbold, Ohio 43502-0230

sauderworship.com

Phone: 419-446-9384 Fax: 419-446-4945 800-537-1530 (Canada and USA) E-mail Address: sales@sauderworship.com

Manufacturing Member

churchexecutive.com

7/2015

S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T • CHURCH EXECUTIVE

Case Study: Saint Francis of Assisi Triangle, Virginia Sauder Worship Seating™ is known as a premier supplier of worship seating. Our reputation, combined with our ability to create custom pew layout design, has earned the respect and recognition of Catholic dioceses throughout the USA, including Saint Francis of Assisi in Triangle, VA. The parish, along with the guidance of the Sauder Worship Seating team, transformed their existing worship space from straight pews to a combination of Radiance™ curved pews and traditional straight pews. The dialogue between Sauder Worship Seating and Saint Francis of Assisi parish quickly developed into a harmonious relationship as our CAD team assisted in developing a floor plan utilizing Radiance™ curved pews and traditional straight pews. Through the process, Sauder addressed the inefficiencies of the existing pew spacing and aisle locations by developing a plan where all aisles were located at the entrances and the intermediate aisles would direct the parishioners in a flowing radius walkway. This change maintained direct focus towards the altar. The make-over of the existing space assisted in updating and changing their worship experience by creating a sense of community. Through the collaboration between the Sauder Worship Seating team and Saint Francis of Assisi the selection, design, in-house coordination and installation of the Radiance curved pews resulted in an upgraded and comprehensive worship experience. Sauder Worship Seating also provided Unity® pew chairs for their choir area as well as the liturgical seating at the altar.

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CHURCH EXECUTIVE • S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

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9 12

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About Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint Francis of Assisi in Triangle, VA, south of Washington D.C., was founded in 1957 to serve the military community at Quantico Marine Base. The original parish was built in 1957 and over time included a school on the grounds. The parish needed a new building which began in 1981 and was dedicated in 1984. Other additions to the building have included an administrative wing in 1996 and a preschool and nursery in 1999. For more history on Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, visit the “Parish History” section at www.stfrncis.org.

About Sauder Worship Seating

sauderworship.com

“The parish is thrilled with the quality of our new Sauder Worship Seating pews. We were particularly impressed with the timeliness of the pew installation process and the Sauder Team’s attention to the critical install timeline. They listened carefully to our needs, paid strict attention to our Mass & Services schedules and completed their work on-time. We highly recommend Sauder Worship Seating to anyone interested in purchasing quality church seating especially Radiance™ pews.” - Ed Knapp, Facilities Manager

Sauder Manufacturing Co. PO Box 230 930 W. Barre Road Archbold, Ohio 43502-0230 Phone: 419-446-9384 Fax: 419-446-4945 800-537-1530 (Canada and USA) E-mail Address: sales@sauderworship.com

Manufacturing Member

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7/2015

S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T • CHURCH EXECUTIVE

Case Study: The Hills Church of Christ North Richland Hills, Texas Sauder Worship Seating™ is a company known not only for manufacturing quality worship seating, but also as an innovator in collaboration with architects and clients such as The Hills Church, formerly known as Richland Hills Church of Christ. The Hills Church first approached Sauder Worship Seating™ in 2004. Built in the 1980s, theirworship space badly needed updating. As the dialogue between church leaders and the Sauder team developed, a number of seating possibilities surfaced. The initial plan was to either re-upholster or replace the existing pews as part of a minor facelift. The concept evolved to include Sauder’s Definity™ seating, a pew with individually defined seat spacing. Ultimately, the church elected to completely renovate and transform the space, and selected Sauder’s Clarity™ auditorium seating as the perfect solution for the new layout. The radial configuration and the use of a multi-color seating creates depth and visual variety. The project was completed with the installation of Clarity™ seating in the fall of 2012. The result is a rejuvenated, more contemporary experience for the congregation at The Hills Church.

“We have a beautifully renovated Worship Center. The approximately 2300 theatre seats supplied by Sauder are the centerpiece of the space. We initially received very positive comments on the seating and continue to receive positive comments. The word that is commonly used is “spectacular” in describing the seating. The quality and craftsmanship of the product are very evident.” - Larry Carrell, Retired Business Manager of The Hills Church of Christ

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CHURCH EXECUTIVE • S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

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Main Floor Seating Layout

Balcony Seating Layout

About The Hills Church of Christ

Hills Church of Christ in North Richland Hills, TX is a multi-site church serving the community throughout Fort Worth. They have undergone many changes over the years and have grown to reach people with the guidance of the Spirit of God, to enlist, encourage, and equip as many people as possible in becoming dedicated followers of Jesus. To learn more about The Hills Church, visit their website at www.thehills.org under the About tab.

About Sauder Worship Seating

Sauder Manufacturing Co. 930 W. Barre Road PO Box 230 Archbold, Ohio 43502-0230

sauderworship.com

Phone: 419-446-9384 Fax: 419-446-4945 800-537-1530 (Canada and USA) E-mail Address: sales@sauderworship.com

Manufacturing Member

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7/2015

S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T • CHURCH EXECUTIVE

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS: breaking down seating selection By Amanda Opdycke

When we think of worship seating construction and the types of materials used, what questions first come to mind? Are you concerned with how it will withstand the manufacturer’s warranty? Is engineered wood better than solid wood? What wood specie is best suited for plybent wood chairs? Is there any type of wood considered to be more scratch-resistant? How will the longevity of the fabric impact the overall life of the pews, chairs or auditorium seats? What’s a realistic expectation of foam degradation? The unknowns can be daunting. Knowing the right questions to ask can quickly put your mind at ease.

MATERIALS & QUALITY A committee might ask, “What assurances can be provided on material quality?” In response, a company’s length in business is typically a key indicator. Sauder Worship Seating has been in business since 1935. Over the course of several generations, we have developed long-standing relationships with wood and fabric mills, and even those who provide the glue that’s used to add additional strength to the natural materials.

Detail of joinery of the pew seat and back into the pew cap rail. All three pieces feed into the pew end to provide overall strength of the pew.

CHURCH EXECUTIVE • S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T

WOOD QUALITY Sauder Worship Seating is the only church furniture company in the country that uses its own on-site wood drying process. This is unique to our company and provides another level of quality assurance of wood materials used in the manufacturing process. We have a dedicated team responsible for receiving the raw lumber, stacking the wood, and loading into a pre-dryer. Over the course of a few months, the moisture content of the wood is slowly reduced. This is called air drying and is the most traditional form of drying. Once the optimum moisture content is reached, the wood is then loaded into a kiln next to the pre-dryer building. The wood will continue to dry over the course of a couple of weeks until it has achieved the correct level of moisture content that allows us to transform the wood into pews or chairs. You might ask yourself, Why is this step so important if no one else in the industry is doing it? The answer isn’t as simple as you might think. Sauder Worship Seating takes quality to heart. The ability to have control over the drying process of the wood allows us to reduce the number of flaws and problems that can be created if wood isn’t dried correctly. Wood is a natural material; as a result, it will shrink and swell due to continuous increase and decrease in moisture content. By having control over the process, we’re able to ensure the shrinkage and swelling doesn’t result in serious flaws prior to manufacture or once the seating is installed. If the moisture content of wood is reduced too quickly it results in splits and cracks along the length of the board, or causes a honeycomb effect. churchexecutive.com

Wood specie selection is also important. Sauder Worship Seating offers eight different standard wood species: red oak, cherry, maple, white oak, rift red oak, rift white oak, mahogany and walnut. Each congregation will have unique needs, and it isn’t uncommon to have the type of wood used in the seating play a key role in the decision-making process. Whether you appreciate the beauty of God’s work in the variety of grain patterns of red oak or the soft, subtle tones of maple, Sauder Worship Seating has the ability to satisfy your needs. FABRIC DURABILITY Fabrics purchased from local retailers aren’t the same quality as used for commercial purposes, such as a sanctuary. The durability and strength of the fabric used in a sanctuary needs to address multiple elements. Fabrics should be independently rated as extra-heavy-duty and include some level of stain resistance. The Wyzenbeek Test is a method of testing used to determine the durability and abrasion resistance of a fabric in what the fabric industry refers to as “double rubs.” The higher the number of double rubs, the more resistant to abrasion the fabric will be. Sauder Worship Seating doesn’t use any fabric that’s less than 30,000 double rubs, which means all our fabrics are extra-heavy-duty, commercial-grade fabric. FABRIC & FINISH COLOR SELECTION Determining the fabric and finish for your furniture in a sanctuary is most often impacted by the overall color scheme agreed to by the building committee. The fabric and finish will often convey the aesthetic of the interior but needs to be utilitarian, too. Sauder Worship Seating offers an array of fabric patterns and colors to meet each congregation’s needs. We work with the top fabric vendors in the market and can assist in finding solutions to pattern and color if our carded fabrics don’t provide enough variety to complete the fabric selection process. Sauder Worship Seating also provides a range of finish colors which often match any mill work or existing wood trim in the building. The color of the finish is useful in tying in the woodwork and creating a cohesive feeling throughout the church. If one of our standard finish colors doesn’t match as closely as you would like, we also offer custom finish matching. You provide us with a sample, our team asks you a few questions, and then we send a matched sample back for your approval. FINISH QUALITY Finish quality is a two-part piece of the equation. First is the finish material itself. Sauder Worship Seating finish team uses stain, sealer and top coat formulated to be formaldehyde-free. The stain is applied with a manually operated spray system, and by hand. The stain is wiped down to ensure penetration into the wood grain and reduce the opportunity for the stain to streak or run. Sauder Worship Seating uses a two-component catalyzed sealer, which is also applied using the manually controlled spray system. The furniture is then cured in an oven, after which a UV-stable top coat is applied to prevent yellowing. The top coat is also specially formulated to provide excellent scratch resistance and protection. This system — a strategic combination of application process and components — results in a quality finish that’s more resilient and durable than lacquer finishes. churchexecutive.com

FOAM QUALITY Foam will naturally degrade over time. In fact, most conventional foam will degrade at a rate impacted by use, as well as the interior environment. It’s likely the wood components of the sanctuary seating will continue to look like new compared to the upholstered seats and backs. Pounds-per-square-inch is an indicator used to determine the realistic life expectancy of foam. Fewer pounds per square inch are proportional to a higher rate of degradation over time. It isn’t uncommon to believe that the softness of the foam will lend itself to be more comfortable. That might be the case initially; over the course of time, less so. In fact, the soft-to-the-touch foam will likely “bottom out” fairly quickly. This means that when you sit in the pew, chair or auditorium seat, you’ll feel the hard supporting structure beneath you when in the seated position, creating discomfort. PEW, CHAIR & AUDITORIUM SEAT CONSTRUCTION Sauder Worship Seating uses a combination of traditional and modern construction methods. Stylistically, furniture design is important to the church; but, the design should also speak to the construction. It’s important to think about the method of the joinery by asking the question, “How are the parts of the furniture attached to enhance durability?” Every pew manufactured by Sauder Worship Seating includes several components that support the overall structure of the pew. The seat is constructed to incorporate a contour which not only supports the person sitting in the seat from an ergonomic standpoint, but the arch is structurally stronger than a straight plank approach. Including a contour into the seat provides additional support against sagging without the need of additional boards, which will add to a bulky appearance. The pew end is routed to allow the backs, seats and cap rail to attach directly into the pew end. This method is preferred, as it allows the structural integrity of each piece (seat, back, pew end, cap rail) to provide the strength of the pew. To complete the attachment of the components, it’s best to use screws rather than nails; also, they should be screwed into solid wood. The cap rail of the pew is also attached to the pew end by using tongue-and-groove construction methods. Because all the pieces are attached directly into the pew end, this alleviates any issue that could be experienced if the attachment method uses a secondary piece of wood as part of the joinery. Another opportunity where structural integrity could be problematic pertains to pews that are longer than 12 feet. Sauder Worship Seating recommends using a support at all splice locations along the pew using turnbuckles to tighten the sections together. When it comes to chairs, Sauder Worship Seating produces two styles of wood chairs: plybent and stickbuilt. The plybent method of chair manufacturing uses the natural strength of wood, combined with engineering. Layers of veneered wood are glued together and pressed into the necessary form. This manufacturing method allows the chair more flexibility in form and strength. There are fewer opportunities for joinery to come apart where the stick manufacturing process can. The strength and beauty of the Vantage chair is an exceptional result of using the plybent manufacturing process. Sauder Worship Seating does manufacture some chairs using the stick-built method. This is where it’s critical to limit the number of exposed fasteners while using the tongue-and-groove joinery to provide additional strength to the chair. Auditorium seating is a fairly new style of seat in the worship environment. As a result, many of the options one might find tend to S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T • CHURCH EXECUTIVE

Construction of upholstered pew seat

look more modern, which lends the manufacture of auditorium seats to be more modern, as well. Sauder Worship Seating Clarity and Vista auditorium seats both use similar construction methods. A primary component to the auditorium seat that sets it apart from others is the coldmolded foam, which is more dense and can be manufactured to fit the seat and back more precisely than standard foam. This enables longer seat life because the rate of foam degradation over time is less. Our auditorium seat also uses fewer mechanical modes of construction, which reduce the opportunity for those parts to break down over time. For example, Sauder Worship Seating uses gravity to raise the seat into the folded position. Some manufacturers use a springloaded part that not only provides a possible structure breakdown, but also results in noisy operation. As you continue to gather information to determine the style of the worship space, there are a number of structural factors to consider. When it comes to chairs, what methods are employed by the manufacturer: plybent and stick-built? The plybent method of chair manufacturing uses the natural strength of wood combined with engineering. This manufacturing practice allows the chair more flexibility in form and strength. There are fewer opportunities for joinery to come apart. If the stick-built method is used, it’s critical to limit the number of exposed fasteners while using the tongue-and-groove joinery to provide additional strength to the chair. 58

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Auditorium seating is a fairly new style of seat in the worship environment. A welded steel seat frame is recommended. The use of coldmolded foam is more dense and can be manufactured to fit the seat and back more precisely than standard foam. Are there a lot of mechanical components inside the seat? How is the seat raised when not in use? Some companies use a spring-loaded operation while others allow gravity to do the work for them, which results in fewer mechanical failures. Taking some time to understand the materials a manufacturer might use — combined with the chosen construction methods — will give you all the tools you need to make a sound decision. Sanctuary seating can be more daunting than one might expect; however, knowing what questions to ask, and understanding how each component is integrated into the structure of the seat, provides a level of security. This way, you know the manufacturer is thoughtful in providing the best solutions to any seating challenge. Amanda Opdycke is Worship Market Manager at Sauder Worship Seating in Archbold, OH. [ www.sauderworship.com ]

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Wood Drying Process What makes Sauder Worship Seating different?

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Pre-Dryer Building On-site Pre-Drying building where the wood drying process begins.

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Lumber before Pre-Drying Process Stacks of raw lumber as it comes off the truck. The wood is hand stacked in the pre-drying building. churchexecutive.com

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Pre-Dryer Building Hand stacked lumber inside the pre-drying building.

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Wood Drying Kiln Hand stacked lumber loading into the kiln to finish the lumber drying process.

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Dried Lumber Hand stacked lumber ready for production of pews and chairs. 64

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Wood Drying Flaws Example of warping down the length of a board caused by improper drying process.

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Example of the honeycomb effect caused by trying to dry lumber too quickly.

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The care & keeping of your big investment By Amanda Opdycke

A typical day in the life of a church facility manager varies a great deal — not just because of the nature of this role and its associated responsibilities within the church, but also because of this individual’s daily experiences with each parishioner. While a pastor is required to spend his or her time planning the weekly service, tending to individual parishioner needs, or perhaps addressing staﬀ issues, the facility manager tends to the needs of the building and its contents.

Sauder Worship Seating installation of straight and Radiance curved pews in Saint Francis of Assisi in Triangle, VA

In this respect, the facility manager is the shepherd of the church grounds. This might include a range of duties — from landscaping, to building maintenance, to basic maintenance of the seating. It’s important for this individual to have thorough knowledge of how to properly clean upholstery and how often to tighten bolts on the seating. Sauder Worship Seating™ has a dedicated warranty team to assist with any questions or problems. GENERAL INFORMATION There are certain precautions that need to be used on all wood products. Sauder recommends that no furniture be exposed to direct sunlight. Windows can be treated with a UV treatment that will diminish the level of UV damage to wood finishes and upholstery. Direct sunlight might cause the wood product color to change and the finish to deteriorate from prolonged exposure. churchexecutive.com

Sauder also suggests that the interior maintain a constant temperature and humidity. Excess heat or cold can cause cracking, warping and checking of wood in furniture. For consistency, consider a humidifier specifically engineered to service an entire building. Our company uses a catalyzed varnish sealer in its finish to provide an additional layer of protection to the wood product; but, even this additional layer won’t protect from prolonged exposure to moisture. In fact, if direct wetting or moisture is allowed to sit on the wood products, the finish will deteriorate much faster than what should be expected. WOOD SURFACES Wood surfaces are used in a variety of ways. Whether it’s the wood trim, a chair rail, or the furniture itself, wood is often used to accent and enhance the natural beauty of the space.

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Sauder Worship Seating installation at Apex Baptist Church (Apex, NC) — a combination of radial and mitered pews, along with Clarity auditorium seating

Improper care and cleaning of wood products can cause some unsightly problems. The purpose of any cleaning and polishing is to provide protection from excessive wear to the finish but should only be done when needed. We suggest cleaning the wood components every other month with a damp rag in warm, soapy water or using lemon oil. Furniture polish can be used every five years, unless it’s used to repair a simple scratch or blemish that hasn’t penetrated the finish. If a deeper scratch or gouge is made to the wood product, additional steps will be needed to remedy the problem. We don’t recommend using an oil-based cleaner on the wood components as it’s likely to break down the top coat of the finish. In some cases, a professional might be needed to repair the problem. UPHOLSTERY Proper upholstery care is crucial in maintaining the life and longevity of the fabric and foam. Fabric upholstery will wear much faster if it’s improperly maintained. We recommend routine vacuuming with the wand only to clean up any loose particles. Dust and gritty particles (such as food crumbs) can become embedded into the upholstery and result in excessive wear. It’s important not to use a vacuum with a rolling brush directly on the upholstery. The bristles used on the brush in the main head of a vacuum are far too harsh to use directly on the cushion. Upholstery stains on the cushion can be another big problem. Whether it’s caused by a spill during communion or a little one who has spilled his milk during the service, cleaning the stain is always a challenge. We recommend you refer to the cleaning code on the back of your fabric card or direct from the fabric vendor. The following codes might be found: “CP” means Consult Professional; “S” means to clean with pure solvents; “W” means to use water-based cleaning agents; “WS” means water-based stains require water-based solvents and oil-based stains should use a solvent cleaner. Once the cleaning code is determined, the next step is to remove the stain. Any time a cleaning agent is used, it’s best to test a small hidden area to ensure it will work as expected. Once the test area is complete, you can proceed with the stain. To avoid cleaning circles, we suggest 68

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cleaning the entire cushion, whether that’s the length of the pew or the entire seat of the chair or auditorium seat. ADDITIONAL UPHOLSTERY PROTECTION Additional steps can be taken to protect the upholstery of the seating. An application of a Scotch Guard-type protector can be used to help protect upholstery from stains, but it will only last about six to eight months, not the lifetime of the product — a common misconception. An alternative is the use of a Teflon-type application, which will also assist in resisting stains and last longer. It’s important to understand that any additional stain protector won’t guarantee absolute protection of the fabric. If the stain isn’t attended to quickly, it can still adhere to the fabric and require additional cleaning to remove it from the upholstery. ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE Over time, minor changes might occur to the way the furniture functions. Sometimes, components can become loose — or even break — from heavy use. Any of these can be remedied by the facility manager or building maintenance department. We recommend an annual check of any moving parts. This will help identify loose parts that might simply need to be tightened; this isn’t uncommon with regular use. If fixed seating (such as auditorium seating or pews) is used in the church, an annual check of the anchoring system is also recommended. As carpet and padding settles, it’s common for the anchoring to feel loose or create a slight rocking feeling. Tightening the anchoring system will take care of this problem and is easily done. The first line of defense in maintenance is having a facility manager or maintenance person who openly communicates with the seating manufacturer. At Sauder, the warranty department can be reached to order replacement parts or assist with procedural assistance when needed. We can also provide further assistance with other warranty problems as they arise. Amanda Opdycke is Worship Market Manager at Sauder Worship Seating in Archbold, OH. [ www.sauderworship.com ]

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Wax Removal

Water-Based Stain Removal

Oil-Based Stain Removal

Scratch / Gouge Repair

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What makes curved pews so special? What attributes of a curved pew not only provide a place to sit during the sermon, but also enhance the experience? Why should you consider curved pews in your sanctuary? (And come to think of it, when did the use of curved pews begin?) The Protestant Reformation has been attributed with the onset of consistent use of pews in the sanctuary. As the sermon has become the focal point of the service over the years, it’s thought the idea of pews originated from the time of Christ, when it was common to have long, bed-like cushions in which people would recline while eating their meals to celebrate “the breaking of bread’” (Acts 2:46). Many historic churches from the 19th and early 20th centuries used curved pews. The use of curved pews echoes a feeling of tradition, but the design of the pews can be traditional or contemporary, depending upon the congregation’s aesthetic.

A variety of experiences can be done so “in-the-round,” which simply means the audience is placed on three sides of the stage. To create an in-theround experience, floor planning and layout is crucial. A seating plan in a circle or semi-circle keeps the focal point on the cross, altar or communion table where the message is usually delivered. This type of seating layout creates a more intimate way to engage worshippers, drawing each member into the service and allowing each parishioner’s seat to be as near as possible to the platform. Churches who have already adapted this layout experience an enhanced sense of unity as they are able to interact with each other visually, as well as hear each other better. “From a functional perspective, it ensured that all members of the congregation were facing and ‘centered’ on the focal point of the church and mass — which is the Eucharist on the altar,’” explains David Prada, AIA, Senior Director, Building and Properties at Archdiocese of Miami. 70

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Every floor plan can be created to be truly unique based on the degree of the radius or curve. The concentric radius is determined by the size and the optimal seating capacity of the sanctuary. Another key element of curved pews is the ability to complement the architecture of the church. The shape of the room, the shape of the altar and platform area — as well as the presence of other curved elements in the sanctuary — can be echoed in the use of radius curved pews. “From a design perspective, [curved pews] softened the rectilinear nature of the church building geometry,” Prada says. “[They also] worked in communion with the curved ceilings and flower designs found on the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.” Focus on construction — and comfort While the design concept of radius curved pews is stylistically appealing, of equal importance is the construction method used to create the curved pews. It’s important for the construction of the curved seat to use staves or a vertical wooden post / plank which are bent. This is a critical component as it allows for a true bent seat. For additional comfort, an ergonomic seat curve should be included which relieves the popliteal contact behind the knee. This contact can cause discomfort while seated for extended periods of time. The option of an upholstered seat and back can add to parishioners’ comfort level. “When meeting with the architect about our new sanctuary design, we decided on a traditional look and feel,” says Bob McCurdy, chairman of the church building committee at First United Methodist Church in Ada, OH. “Adding seat cushions has been a big plus and given us another opportunity to express our color palate with our seating.” Finally, it is imperative that the back, seat and cap of the pew is routed into the pew end. This provides additional strength and durability to the pew, as well as an overall finished look. For centuries, churches have continued to withstand the test of time, reminding us of our shared history and love for Christ. “For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you,” (Proverbs 3:2). While this verse speaks directly to our relationship with Christ and the peace we feel every day, so too are our houses of worship. Through attentive comfort of curved pews, we are able to achieve a greater understanding of the sermon. Amanda Opdycke is Worship Market Manager at Sauder Worship Seating in Archbold, OH. [ www.sauderworship.com ] She holds a BFA, Art History, from Ohio University and has written and contributed to several articles about church seating. Opdycke presented her first class at WFX Reach in San Antonio, TX, recently: “Attentive Comfort: The Ergonomics of Worship.” Its content was based on article the “Science Behind the Seat” Series in Church Executive Magazine. churchexecutive.com

The best of both worlds: it’s possible! By Amanda Opdycke It’s an exciting time for your church! You are part of a newly formed committee tasked with selecting a seating company to furnish the new church sanctuary. Everyone is eager to begin, but the multi-generational team has different ideas about what type of seating should be selected.

Do you want traditional wood pews or contemporary auditorium seating? How can you lead your church into the dawn of contemporary seating while maintaining the traditional appeal of pews?

On one hand, it is important to ensure everyone entering the sanctuary knows they are in a welcoming and holy space. Traditional wood pews help create this ambiance. On the other hand, you might want to provide opportunities for the community to use the sanctuary outside the worship service, which helps create a space for community events. Here, individual seating is critical. With that in mind, it’s crucial to be observant of how the sanctuary will be used. Will there be weekly or daily worship services, a children’s theatre event, or a concert for the community to enjoy, where tickets might be sold and the seating selection is of paramount importance? It’s essential to select a seating style that meets the unique demands of the worship facility, as well as satisfying the aesthetic needs of the congregation. One way to bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary seating preferences is a combination pew. A combination pew typically includes the wood or upholstered back of a traditional pew combined with the contemporary design appeal and efficiency of flipup auditorium seats. The combination of a traditional pew back with auditorium flip-up seat brings together the heritage of the classic wooden pew with the comfort and accessibility of modern design. To meet both modern standards and historic expectations, the flipup auditorium seat should be encased in the wooden structure of a traditional pew. Constructing the flip-up auditorium seat within the wooden framework provides a safeguard for quality and durability. The pew back is ergonomically contoured, allowing for additional comfort and lumbar support. The ergonomic contour can be achieved whether the back is made of wood or upholstered materials. Each flip-up seat quietly and consistently returns to its raised position, even after years of use. Fewer internal mechanisms within the seat significantly reduce the opportunity for wear-and-tear on the flip-up seat mechanism. The gravitylift auditorium seat protects the flip-up action of the auditorium seat from mechanical break-down. The beauty and simplicity of a combination pew back with flip-up auditorium seat is that it allows worshippers to blend multi-generational congregations. Looking down the aisle of the sanctuary, traditional pew backs and pew end panels are in the line of vision; but, when glancing down the rows, individual flip-up auditorium seats assure the worshipper his or her individual space. The combination pew with flip-up auditorium seat is designed to bring everyone in the congregation together — from Baby Boomers to Millennials. Each worshipper is entrusted with a sense of belonging and purpose while maintaining adherence to his or her individuality. churchexecutive.com

Combination upholstered pew back with flip-up auditorium seat

The combination pew is the perfect solution to providing a traditional sanctuary, where weekly and daily services are held, as well as creating a space for the entire community to enjoy. “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven,” Matthew 5:15-16 NIV. Amanda Opdycke is Worship Market Manager at Sauder Worship Seating in Archbold, OH. She holds a BFA, Art History, from Ohio University and has written and contributed to several articles about church seating. Opdycke presented her first class at WFX Reach in San Antonio, TX, recently: “Attentive Comfort: The Ergonomics of Worship.” Its content was based on an article in the “Science Behind the Seat” Series in Church Executive Magazine.

Combination wood pew back with flip-up auditorium seat S C I E N C E B E H I N D T H E S E A T • CHURCH EXECUTIVE