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How to restore damaged church pew?

Well, I have started restoring this old, weathered church pew. i’ve spent a lot of time sanding (excluding the back rest/shelf as this is tricky to access.

the front of the back rest is split and wood is missing. do i leave as is or try and putty it up? or something else?

there’s a crack through the seat too. what should i do about this?

does anyone know what this wood is?

and lastly, and oil/coating recommendations? i dont want it any darker.

thanks in advance!!!

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @lorettasymmons. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about restoring a pew.

It’s a beautiful project you’ve taken on, and honestly, the character and wear on the piece really add to its story. That weathered, slightly damaged look is what gives it charm—it tells you this pew has had a life, and it’s lived through years of use, possibly in a community where it meant something. If your goal is to have a pew that looks brand new, then yes, you could go down the path of completely restoring every damaged section. But doing so would also strip away a lot of that personality.

The split in the seat could potentially be treated by running some PVA wood glue into the crack and then clamping it across the top to see if it closes up a little. Given the age and dryness of the timber, there’s a good chance it won’t pull together completely, but even a partial closure can help with strength. If the gap remains visible, you could fill it using a coloured timber filler that’s close to the original tone.

The damaged and missing section on the backrest is a bit trickier. That kind of repair, if done properly, usually involves cutting out the damaged portion and grafting in a matching piece of timber—a job typically done by a restoration expert. They’d choose a timber similar in grain and colour to what’s already there. In Australia, pews like this were often made from durable timbers like Victorian ash, blackwood, or even Queensland maple, but it’s hard to say definitively. Either way, the chunk that’s missing looks a bit large for filler, so unless you’re planning to fully refinish and colour-match new timber, I’d leave it as is.

For the finish, if you want to maintain the current tone and avoid darkening it further, you could go with a clear, non-yellowing finish like Feast Watson’s Scandinavian Oil. This will bring the timber back to life without significantly changing its colour or sheen.

Ultimately, it depends on the look you’re going for. Would you go out and buy a pristine, polished pew off the showroom floor? If not, and if you’re leaning into a rustic, farmhouse, or vintage aesthetic—something like a country-style mudroom or hallway—then I think it’s at its most appealing just as it is. A gentle sand, a clear oil, and letting the cracks and imperfections stay visible will give it the kind of authenticity you just can’t fake.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

lorettasymmons

Thanks so much for your reply, Mitchell!!

I’m definitely aiming for farmhouse vibes, so i think that clear oil you recommended will be great. I just want it to be somewhat weatherproof in the future!

I think i will consider your suggestion for the seat by gluing and filling the crack.

You’ve definitely steered me in the right direction with the back rest and I will be leaving that as is! Thanks so much 🥰

MitchellMc

When you say weatherproof, @lorettasymmons, will you be putting the bench outside? If so, the Scandinavian oil I previously mentioned is intended for interior use only. For outside, you'd need to look at an outdoor furniture oil or a varnish.

Mitchell

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