The history of religion in the modern day world, and especially in America, is filled with big changes and developments. Understand that as of 2011, eight of the ten most religious states in the United States are currently located in the south. Mississippi is the most religious U.S. state, with 59% of its residents reporting as very religious. Thus, there are people who love to get a picture of a church steeple!
One of the reasons why people fall in love with a picture of a church steeple is due to the expansive history that can found in used church pews and other items. Understand that churches were not commonly furnished with permanent pews before the Protestant Reformation. With this kind of rich history in the midst of the church, it is easy to understand why people want a picture of a church steeple.
The rise of the sermon as a central act of Christian worship, especially in Protestantism, made the pew a standard item of church furniture. Some church pews have benchlike cushioned seating, and hassocks or footrests, while others are simple affairs made of wood. Church pews are beloved and used often but do not have the type of stock as a beautiful picture of a church steeple.
In churches with a tradition of public kneeling prayer, pews are often equipped with kneelers in front of the seating bench.
Pew rental emerged as a source of controversy in the 1840s and 1850s, especially in the Church of England, and many Anglo-Catholic parishes were founded at this time as Free Churches characterized by their lack of pew rentals. Now, churches are so beautiful people will travel to get a great picture of a church steeple.
The first pews were introduced in the 13th century when removable stone benches were placed against church walls. For over 1,000 years of church history, churches did not contain pews. Congregations stood and were free to walk around and mingle with other church members. With the exception of some Orthodox groups, pews are a mainstay in church buildings everywhere.
From the 1600s through the mid-1800s, many churches’ seating arrangements were made by rank, with higher social classes sitting in pews nearest the altar. Within any parish, the local church is often the oldest building and is larger than any pre-19th-century structure except perhaps a barn. In the first three centuries of the Early Christian Church, the practice of Christianity was illegal and few churches were constructed.
From the first to the early fourth centuries most Christian communities worshipped in private homes, often secretly. Antique church pews are popular in private homes, as bench seating in a dining area or entryway. According to Gallup, 68 percent of Americans claim that they attend church services at least occasionally.
Gallup classifies 40% of Americans nationwide as very religious based on their statement that religion is an important part of their daily life and that they attend religious services every week or almost every week. Very religious Americans of all major faiths have higher overall wellbeing than do their respective counterparts who are moderately religious or nonreligious.
