How Should a Church Plan a Sanctuary Woodworking Project?

DIRECT ANSWER:

A church sanctuary woodworking project should begin with documentation, priorities and scope. Identify what should be preserved, repaired, refinished, modified or replaced before demolition begins. Photograph existing conditions, gather dimensions, identify important furnishings and coordinate woodworking decisions with flooring, accessibility, electrical, painting and other renovation work.

BEFORE THE FIRST PEW MOVES—

DECIDE WHAT THE CHURCH IS TRYING TO PRESERVE.

A sanctuary renovation involves more than wood.

It can involve:

History

Worship

Accessibility

Congregational memories

Architecture

Budget

Future use

Good planning helps those priorities work together.

START WITH A SANCTUARY INVENTORY

Document:

Pews

Pew ends

Kneelers

Doors

Paneling

Trim

Railings

Choir furnishings

Pulpit

Lectern

Communion table

Cabinetry

Altar furnishings

Other significant woodwork

CREATE THREE LISTS

SAVE AND REUSE

SAVE AS REFERENCE

REMOVE OR REPLACE

Do this before demolition.

IDENTIFY WHAT MATTERS MOST

Ask:

What defines this sanctuary?

What does the congregation recognize immediately?

What was built specifically for the space?

What would be difficult to recreate later?

What can be changed without losing the room's character?

COORDINATE WITH THE ENTIRE RENOVATION

Woodworking decisions may interact with:

Flooring

Carpet

Electrical

Lighting

Audio/visual systems

HVAC

Painting

Accessibility changes

Seating layout

Platform changes

Coordinate before work begins.

DON'T LET THE DUMPSTER MAKE THE DECISIONS

Once original material is discarded, the opportunity to reuse or document it may be gone.

Preserve representative samples when they may matter later.