Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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PEW

A seat for worshippers in a church. Pews are an early medieval innovation in the West, where they gradually developed from stone seats attached to the walls or to the piers of the nave. Many churches had elaborately carved pews, at the ends and on the back, with figures of saints and symbols of the Passion of Christ. (Etym. Middle French puie, prop, raised seat, balcony.)