Looking to buy a pew or two?
THE Lismore Baptist Church is selling the pews out from beneath its parishioners' posteriors.
But the triangle-shaped Uralba St house of worship hasn't hit hard times.
It's shifting to a more contemporary worship style that has seen the notoriously bum-numbing timber benches fall from grace.
Pews, which for hundreds of years have rendered an invaluable service in keeping the faithful awake through long and tedious sermons, will be ditched for more portable and practical padded plastic seating.
Pastor John Wilson said the decision had not been made lightly.
"Obviously there are a number of people that have a sentimental attachment to them but we also recognise that times are changing," he said.
The 3.3m-long pews, which weigh about 75kg, were purpose-built for the church in the 1960s from Blackwattle timber sourced locally from the Nightcap Ranges.
"Apparently it's quite an unusual timber. It's not the standard fare," Pastor Wilson said.
Half of the 30 pews have already been snapped up at $180 each, mostly to be used for godly garden seating and deified dining chairs. Funds raised will be used to purchase the new plastic chairs.
For inquiries phone Pastor John Wilson on 0417713682.
