ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL RENOVATION

Product: 40/4

Project:

Transform a traditional place of worship into a modern, multi-use space without compromising the church’s beauty

Location:

London, Ontario — Canada

Solution:

The 40/4 chairs, with its ability to be easily moved and arranged, provided the perfect solution to replace the fixed pews

OLD BECOMES NEW

Built between 1844 and 1846, St. Paul's is the oldest church in London, Ontario, and like many historic churches, it faced the challenge of remaining relevant while preserving its heritage. The cathedral’s traditional layout, with fixed pews, was a major limitation. These pews created a single, unalterable aisle, severely restricting the functionality of the space.

Beyond its looks and function, the chairs needed to be comfortable for all attendees. The 40/4 chair's broad back and seat back height provides exceptional comfort, ensuring that everyone feels at ease during long events or services.

In today’s evolving world, spaces need to be compelling in new ways. The goal is to captivate users and encourage people to gather together by creating environments that are both beautiful and highly functional for multipurpose uses. This philosophy was at the heart of a significant renovation at St. Paul's Cathedral, which sought to transform a traditional place of worship into a modern, multi-use space that could host everything from religious services to musical performances and even a professional recording studio, without compromising the beauty of the space.

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CREATING A MULTI-USE SPACE

Ultimately, the renovation was a resounding success. By replacing its fixed pews with the mobile HOWE 40/4 chair, St. Paul's Cathedral successfully transformed its historic space into a flexible, multi-purpose environment. This project is a powerful example of how thoughtful furniture selection can revitalize traditional spaces, making them more relevant and functional for modern communities. The HOWE 40/4 chair proved to be the ideal solution, providing a perfect blend of elegance, versatility, and comfort.

“STORYTELLING HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CORE OF SELLING, AND HOWE HAS A RICH HISTORY AND IMPORTANT DESIGN STORY, HOWE’S 40/4 CHAIR IS THE ORIGINAL HIGH CAPACITY STACKING CHAIR AND WHEN CONSIDERING THAT CATEGORY, IT WAS THE ONLY CHAIR THAT MADE SENSE. ”

THE HOWE SOLUTION

To revitalize the space, the Montreal-based Trinity Centres Foundation partnered with the diocese to develop a plan—approved by city council in November 2023—to convert 9,000 square feet of the church into a creative hub with studios and workshops, and transform the nave and narthex into a 700-seat multi-use venue, requiring the removal of fixed pews. Inspired by similar projects and images on the HOWE website, Rev. Canon Kevin George contacted Christopher Rowe of CoR Collection to request a sample of the HOWE 40/4 chair—a flexible, elegant solution that matched the cathedral’s historic character. The chosen veneer version complemented the custom wood floors, enhancing the space’s beauty while enabling versatile use.

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