Blog · March 21, 2025
Pew Reupholstery at First Christian Church | Marion, Indiana
Savanna Williams-Bowlin
First Christian Church in Marion, Indiana, had been living with bright orange pew upholstery for a long time. It had character in its day, but the fabric was worn and the color no longer matched the rest of the sanctuary.
They called Sharpe’s Church Interiors, and we reupholstered the pews in a calm gray that sits nicely with the carpet. Same pews, different feel — quieter, more open, easier on the eyes when you walk in.
From orange to gray
Orange had given the room energy for years. Over time, though, sun and weekly use faded the fabric, and the updated interior around it made the color feel out of step.
Working with church leadership, we looked at samples and settled on a neutral gray — durable enough for regular services, stain-resistant, and close enough to the carpet that the whole floor-to-seat line felt intentional. Nothing dramatic for drama’s sake; just a color that let the room breathe again. More about how we handle this kind of job is on our pew upholstery page.
Why reupholster instead of replace
Good pews are worth keeping. Reupholstery stretches their life, updates the look without a full remodel, improves comfort when you add fresh padding, and usually costs less than buying new seating. For First Christian, the wood structure was solid — it just needed fabric that matched where the church is now.
How the Marion project went
Consultation and planning
We visited Marion, met with leadership, took measurements, and brought material samples so everyone could see and feel the options in the actual room — not just on a laptop screen.
Material selection
Gray wasn’t just a color pick. We checked durability, how it cleaned up, and how it sat next to the sanctuary carpet before anyone committed.
Removal and install
We pulled the old orange fabric carefully so we didn’t nick the wood, then installed the new upholstery pew by pew with the tools and techniques we use on jobs like this every week. Afterward we walked the sanctuary with church leadership and made sure every row looked right.
More project photos live on our blog and YouTube channel.
Before and after
Side by side, the change is obvious. Orange to gray isn’t a small tweak on a photo — in the room it reads brighter and calmer. The sanctuary feels more settled, which is what the church was after.
A note on the color choice
Neutral gray does a lot of quiet work: it plays well with natural light, doesn’t fight seasonal decor, and fits both older architecture and newer updates. At First Christian, it helped the seating and carpet read as one space instead of two different eras. Kids, grandparents, and first-time visitors all walk into the same room now — and it doesn’t shout at any of them.
If you’re considering a color update
We’ve been doing this work for over 20 years, we travel nationwide, and we build each job around the church in front of us. Typical pew reupholstery runs about 1–2 weeks depending on size. We can match fabric to your existing decor, work with historic pews, and help with broader church interior design if you want the room and the seating planned together.
More answers are on our FAQ. To start a conversation, request a free estimate or call (910) 694-3007. We’re at 212 Bait Rd., Dunn, NC 28334, and you can find updates on Facebook.
We’re grateful First Christian Church trusted us with their sanctuary. Same pews, new fabric — and a space that feels ready for whoever walks in next Sunday. For more examples, see our church pew upholstery in Pennsylvania and pew refurbishing at St. Barbara’s in Powell, WY, or learn more about our pew refinishing service.