John E. Vigar MA, FSA Scot., FRSA

Superior Seats

Nothing demonstrates the social history of England as well as the changes that have taken place in our parish churches over the last 1500 years. Alterations that did not purely represent gear changes in religious belief or ritual; they ably demonstrate the class structures to be found in the secular world.

This lecture looks at the story of church seating through the centuries from the solid stone benches that made the `weak go to the wall` to the monumental private pews that still dominate some church interiors.

Seating in churches is a much more varied subject then one might suspect. The medieval clergy originally had stalls and sedilia in the chancels of our churches, whilst the laity only occasionally had elaborate benches – the type of seat we associate with churches today – the bench or pew – only really dates from the nineteenth century. In this fascinating and ground breaking lecture we discover the periods when you couldn’t attend church without paying for your seat; when box pews went with your house; and how the clues are there to help us understand the most private aspect of  public worship.

Suggested Reading

Temples worthy of His presence by Christopher Webster (2003)

A Church as it should be by Christopher Webster (2000)

The Victorian Church by Chris Brooks (1995)

Pews, Benches and Chairs by Trevor Cooper (2011)

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Latest Blogs from John

  January Blog 2025   Firstly, apologies for a longer than usual absence. I`ve been moving house and dealing with builders. Bar a couple of minor things and a complete internal redecoration we are now fully installed and very happy to have ...
  Forthcoming Events.   I am running a series of ZOOM lectures, both new and repeated titles over the next few months. I give each lecture live (they are not recorded) and places are limited. Click on the link to book. 12th November  E...
  Dear friends and followers   The summer has flown by. I hope you have had an enjoyable time. I haven`t got much to report this time as I`m getting ready to move house.   Church Classes. I am running my popular classes in Downham Mark...
      I`m delighted to announce the publication of my latest book Churches of Sussex. It is a brand new look at fifty churches which I think give the best overview of ecclesiastical and architectural history in the county. I have spent...

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