Judy Bender

Judy Bender has served churches nationwide since 1984, bringing over four decades of expertise in church furniture design and sanctuary renovation. Known as “The Pew Lady,” she guides congregations through layout, design, and installation with clarity and care. Judy completed The Dale Carnegie Course, and her work supports New Holland’s long-standing AWI membership and multiple Standard of Excellence awards, as well as the 2025 WBC Craftsmanship Award. Clients consistently praise her professionalism, communication, and commitment to exceptional results.

Church Pew Buying Checklist for A Step-by-Step Guide to Smarter Church Seating Procurement

Buying new pews is rarely a simple “order and install” decision. It’s a long-term investment in comfort, accessibility, and the overall worship experience. And for anyone leading church seating procurement, the process can feel overwhelming fast. Budgets, measurements, timelines, and congregation expectations all collide at once, which can cause stress and anxiety. That’s exactly why …

Refinish Church Pews or Replace Church Pews? A Practical Guide to Help You Pick

Church pews carry more than congregants. They carry history, tradition, and the physical rhythm of weekly worship. Over time, however, even the most well-built seating shows signs of wear. Faded finishes, splintering wood, outdated layouts, or accessibility challenges can prompt an important question. Is it better to refinish church pews or replace church pews entirely? …

How is Custom Church Furniture a Lasting Expression of Faith and Craftsmanship?

Every congregation deserves a worship space that feels sacred, timeless, and deeply personal. Yet, too often, standard furniture options fall short by offering convenience and not connection. Faith communities that value beauty, tradition, and heritage know that their surroundings play a meaningful role in worship. Custom church furniture offers more than seating or function. It …

Church Furniture Maintenance: A Complete Guide to Caring for Wooden Pews and More

Wooden church furniture plays a central role in the beauty and atmosphere of a worship space. From pews polished by decades of use to finely crafted chairs and sacred furnishings, each piece carries both function and history. But wood is a living material, and without proper upkeep, it can lose its luster, warp with moisture, …

The Process of Custom Church Furniture Design and Manufacturing

Cathedral of St. Paul, Birmingham, AL Have you looked through standard church furniture catalogs and been unimpressed by basic offerings? You have a unique view of your congregation hall, and you envision a worship space that reflects the distinct character and mission of your congregation – a space that inspires reverence, unity, and purpose. This …

Different Types of Church Pews: Comfort and Worship Choices for Your Sanctuary

If the seating in your sanctuary feels worn, outdated, or just plain uncomfortable, it might be time for an upgrade. Whether you’re worshiping in a church, synagogue, or other sacred space, the furniture you choose can have a profound impact on the comfort, beauty, and function of your worship experience. Fortunately, you don’t have to …

6 Types of Worship & Altar Tables You May Find in a Church or Synagogue

When it’s time to renovate or redesign your church or synagogue, you likely focus on your seating options. Whether it’s radius curved pews, straight pews, or church chairs, you want high-quality, long-lasting church and synagogue furniture. But what about other aspects of your sanctuary? In today’s blog post, we will look at a feature in your worship space that …

A 9-Step Plan for Choosing the Right Church Chairs and Seating

Choosing the perfect church chairs for your worship space is a crucial decision that impacts the comfort and functionality of your congregation. Whether you’re in the middle of a synagogue or church renovation, designing a new worship space, or just wondering how your spiritual center’s seating can best serve your religious services, there are several …