It all started in the Middle Ages. With the advent of Christianity, churches began to be built around the world. In the first Christian temples, however, there was no room for comfortable sitting at all - church pews were missing. However, they were not even necessary - during the services, believers usually stood or knelt in prayer.
The first medieval pews built along the walls of the church were made of stone. There is no doubt that during the service it was really more comfortable for some to stand.
Wooden church pews did not occur until sometime in the 14th century. In the following centuries, however, their production continued to expand. Church pews have become masterpieces, even works of art. They had massive seating areas, wide sides and high backrests. Large pieces of solid wood allowed the carvers to show off their craft in full beauty. The benches in the church began to be decorated with scenes from biblical stories, pictures of saints and symbols of the church.
From the 16th century, church pews became a sign of social status. Wealthy families had their own place in the churches to sit, and the magnificence of the decoration of the church pew was a sign of standing in the social ladder. It was a departure from Christian values, but unfortunately that was the reality.
Fortunately, times are completely different today. The appearance of the church pews was reunited and harmony and equality among the faithful returned to the temple. From the middle of the 19th century, private church pews were abandoned and gradually the production of pews began, which were freely accessible to everyone. Even kneelers and handles for the songbook and the Bible began to be added to the pews to make them practical and comfortable for church visitors.
Minimalism and functionality prevail in the design of contemporary church pews. The quality of materials and workmanship, as well as accessories, remains and is constantly improving.