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The
first Christians met in the desert, in caves, in small rooms, anywhere
possible and appropriate. Here in Britain during the time of the Romans as
Christianity spread, rooms in villas were set aside as small chapels, for
example at
Lullingstone in Kent and simple churches built
- St.
Martin's in Canterbury is one. After the
conversion of the Anglo-Saxons at the end of the sixth century by
missionaries from Rome and by earlier Celtic missionaries in the north and
west, the Gospel was preached and services held in not only in churches of
wood and then stone but outdoors, around crosses of which many examples
remain like those at Ruthwell and Bewcastle. Eventually, under the rule of
those great builders, the Normans, magnificent abbeys, churches and
cathedrals, with more elaborate decoration and vestments became much more
common. And so it has continued.
Throughout the history of the Christian church the liturgy, the ritual, the
government and the buildings have changed and developed, influenced not only
by the needs and
ideas of the church itself but also by those of the society
it seeks to serve.
Our St. Mary's, from its pre-Conquest foundation and its rebuilding in
1115 by Gilbert the Norman, has seen many of these changes so we now have a
building with features from the early 12th century, major additions in the
13th, 14th
and 15th centuries and a very complete refurbishment in the mid 19th century
when the north and south aisles were added and the Norman walls removed. The
population
of Merton was expanding fast so the church responded. Many other changes
were made including the removal of the old box pews in their unbroken aisle
plan, and the
present pine pews erected. Since then some pews have been
removed and re-sited and in 1981 had their shelves lowered to accommodate
the ASB.
St. Mary's is described as beautiful, historic, delightful. It has Grade 2
listing. The Burne Jones windows are much visited works of art but does it
serve its purpose as a place for us to worship together in more than
traditional ways, to
welcome others and to renew our spiritual bonds with each
other and with God?
It seems to me that the immovable wooden pews hinder our development in the
21st century and we should seriously consider removing them. They are in no
way original except to the 19th century renovations and in fact force us
to function as a hierarchical Victorian church. Those who come to Evensong
in
August, when we squeeze into the choir stalls and face each other as well as
God,
know how different the experience is. This is, therefore, no call for
'happy-clappy'
services but for the possibilities of variety.
Think of the advantages of a space where chairs could be moved to
provide settings for traditional and more experimental worship, for small
groups, for
drama, for dance, the list is endless. We work very hard and laudably to
energize ourselves and attract others but worship is at the heart of our
church life and we need to stop sitting in rigid rows looking at the backs
of each others' heads, an arrangement
inimical to unity and welcome.
A secondary consideration, and very secondary, is that the
pews are
very uncomfortable, bearable for an hour or so, but if we plan to use the
church for
concerts, either our own or hired out to others, flexibility of seating and
some degree of comfort is essential. People ask how long the function will
last and those who
know bring their cushions. Using the church more fully is
financially rewarding and those who come to a concert may come again.
Of course there are many things to be considered and much debate
needed before any referendum is held and decision made. A change like this
would be costly, though the pews could be sold. Chair designs (no plastic!)
are of the utmost importance, floor covering, storage and someone to be head
of chairs all need thinking about. But many other churches have taken this
step very successfully and with minimal trauma and found their church life
enriched.
The church with its pews holds about 290 people. I am told that with
chairs it would seat fewer but perhaps this needs to be proved. Children,
stuck in the side aisles at most services, could sit at the very centre
front on the floor and wheelchairs accommodated much more comfortably than
in the draughts at the back. And wouldn't it be easier to clean?
So imagine a wonderful flexible space, a more visually attractive
interior (for no-one could describe the pews as interesting or beautiful)
and a church more fully used. Even thinking about the possibilities will be
creative. Do let us have a thoughtful debate and listen to each other.
Perhaps a reply to this article would be a good start.
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