What to Do With the Pews: Preserving the Heart of St. Frances

One of the biggest questions we faced in transforming St. Frances was what to do with her original pews. These long wooden benches have been in place since 1845, carrying the weight of generations who prayed, married, grieved, and gathered within these walls. They are more than just seats—they are storytellers. And deciding their future was one of the most emotional parts of our journey.

The Weight of History

Every scratch and worn spot on the pews speaks of the people who once filled them. Families sat shoulder to shoulder, children dangled their feet, and hands gripped the edges during moments of joy and sorrow. We knew removing them altogether would feel like erasing an important piece of the chapel’s identity.

Balancing Past and Present

At the same time, turning St. Frances into both a home and a venue meant we had to think about functionality. Full rows of pews wouldn’t allow for the flexibility we needed to host weddings, small gatherings, or even family meals. The question became: how do we honor the history while making the space usable for the future?

Finding Middle Ground

After much thought (and more than a few debates), we decided to keep a meaningful number of pews rather than all of them. Some remain inside the chapel to anchor the space with authenticity, while others have been repurposed in creative ways—refinished for outdoor seating under the trees, or reimagined as benches that carry the spirit of the church into new corners of the property.

We also felt called to give back. Several of the pews were donated to Touch of the Father’s Love missionary, where they will continue serving a purpose in another sacred setting. Knowing that people will sit on them again in worship and prayer brought us peace—it was as though St. Frances was extending her reach beyond her own walls.

A Living Legacy

Deciding what to do with the pews wasn’t about choosing between preservation and progress—it was about weaving them together. By keeping some in place, reimagining others, and donating a portion to the missionary, we ensured that the heart of St. Frances remains intact while allowing her to serve a new generation. Every guest who sits on a pew, whether inside the chapel, under the open sky, or in another house of worship, becomes part of the story that began here nearly two centuries ago.