Reusing the pews at St Stephen’s church in Redditch

A unique recycling initiative is being launched at St Stephen’s Church in Redditch which will give its Victorian pews a new lease of life in community settings.

The church has announced plans to remove its traditional fixed wooden pews this summer, replacing them with flexible, modern seating. The removed pews are being offered free of charge to local schools, colleges, and community organisations. Members of the wider public can also purchase a pew for a small fee, with all proceeds going directly toward the church’s renewal fund.

“Our community and activities are growing rapidly,” said Fraser Oates, Vicar and Renewal Leader at St Stephen’s. “To support this growth, we need to invest in our building. By replacing the fixed pews with movable seating, we can open up the space for diverse, contemporary uses that benefit the entire town.”

Fraser emphasised that local heritage remains at the heart of the project: “We do not want to see these pews sent to a skip. We want them to find new homes around Redditch so they can continue to be a part of our town’s shared life and history.”

Renewing the church building

For over a century, the Victorian pews have shaped the interior of the Grade II-listed building. However, the fixed layout restricts how the space can be used by a modern, growing, and vibrant church community and by the wider Redditch community. Removing the pews is the first major step in a wider renewal initiative, coinciding with an application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and an upcoming fundraising campaign.

Future phases of the project are expected to include new internal rooms extending to the first-floor level, new kitchen and toilet facilities, and a new sustainable heating system.

To bridge the funding gap and bring the full vision to life, St Stephen’s will be embarking upon a fundraising campaign, inviting trusts, local residents, businesses, and benefactors to invest in the town’s heritage.

“St Stephen’s has been a vital asset to Redditch for generations,” Fraser added. “This reordering isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about ensuring our church remains alive, open, and viable for the future.”

How to get involved 

Those wishing to claim or purchase a historic St Stephen’s pew have until Friday 12 June to express their interest. The pews are expected to be ready for collection and transport during the summer holidays.

For all pew inquiries and pricing details, contact lucy@ststephensredditch.com. Details on the upcoming fundraising campaign and how to support the church’s renewal project will be announced in due course.