To Abolish the System of Pew Rents

New York, 1909

West Genesee Street M. E. Church Takes Decisive Action

Free Seats After January 1

Rental System, Rev. J. C. B. Moyer Says, Made Many Uncomfortable and Affected Church Attendance

Pew rents are to be abolished at the West Genesee Street M. E. Church, beginning January 1. The free seats system was adopted by the Church Society after the entire matter had been carefully threshed out by the Finance Committee, the Official Board and the pew renters, and final action, at the meeting of the quarterly conference this week, was unanimous.

For months there has been a feeling in this parish that church attendance suffered because of a pew rental system. It was argued that more persons would attend church if the rule of "first come, first served," so far as sittings were concerned, prevailed, and after January 1 the promoters of the free pews will have an opportunity to observe how much difference there is under the new system.

The pastor of the church, Rev. J. C. B. Moyer, favored free pews. He said yesterday, "I believe it is a good move. During my pastorate the church attendance has shown an increase, but it has not been as large as it should be in a community so thickly populated. The rental of pews made just a few feel uncomfortable and inconvenienced a much larger number."

It was said that the rentals from the pews at the West Genesee Street Church amounted to only between $800 and $900 and that the finance committee was of the opinion that the current expenses of the church could be met to better advantage under a free pew system than at present.

There is a general tendency among churches of the country to abandon pew rentals and throw the houses of worship open to the public. It is believed that those who would rent pews would give the same amount in other ways and that visitors might help to swell the finances by contributions that would not be forthcoming under the old plan.

Free pews have been much discussed in conventions and among individual churches during the past few months and it is believed the action of the West Genesee Street Methodist Church will be followed by other churches of Syracuse in the near future.

—The Post Standard, Syracuse, NY, Nov. 13, 1909, p. 7.