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Honouring Design ; Abbey Church Furniture Restoration
Worth Abbey Church Furniture Restoration Project
Since late 2017, Worth Abbey has been working closely with master-craftsman Ed Johnson to restore the congregational and choir furniture in the Abbey Church, bringing to life the full vision of Thomas Heatherwick’s original design. This long-term project reflects our commitment to preserving the integrity and beauty of our sacred space for generations to come.
Congregational Pews – Nearing Completion
Following an extended period of design and testing, restoration of the congregational pews began in earnest in early 2023. The penultimate set of pews is currently in the workshop, and once returned, only one final pew will remain to be completed—marking a significant milestone in the project.
Choir Furniture – Next Phase Begins
Attention now turns to the choir furniture, with the first set of monastic seats scheduled for removal in late October or early November. Restoration will begin with the Abbot’s seat and progress westward. This phase is expected to continue through to the summer of 2026. The final piece to be addressed is the expansive desk in front of the choir seats. To improve its structure and usability, we are introducing a gap on each side and reinforcing the legs. As the Abbey Church is a listed building, these design changes required formal approval from the Historic Churches Committee, which was granted on 18th September, pending a three-week appeal period.
Funding and Completion Timeline
Funding for the choir seats has been fully secured. However, we are actively fundraising the remaining £72,000 needed to complete the choir desks. Subject to securing these funds, we anticipate the entire restoration project will be completed by Christmas 2026.
Once finished, this restoration will support the varied daily uses of the Abbey Church—liturgical, musical, and communal—for many years to come.
