Dear Parishioners of St. Elizabeth Seton,

One of the most significant investments we are making during the Golden Jubilee Renovations is the purchase of new pews and liturgical furniture.  Early in our planning we began researching several pew manufacturers and all roads took us to one of the most trusted and respected companies.  The Marshall Pew company was founded 70 years ago by Jack Marshall in Payette, Idaho.  Having visited five churches that had Marshall Pews, it was obvious that they produced the quality we were seeking.

The history of Marshall Church Furniture is a fascinating story.  Jack Marshall and his wife lived in New York but becameenamored with wood products and decided to jump a freight train to Idaho where wood was plentiful.  The Marshalls made furniture for churches until World War II broke out. It was then the federal government went to Marshall Pew company and requested them to build ammunition boxes for U.S. troops in Europe and the Pacific Islands. After the war, the Marshalls were able to purchase the ammunition facility from the federal government and resumed building church pews. 

Marshall Pew Company is a privately held company that has remained in the family for the past three generations. The current President, Michael Stoneman, is the grandson of the founder. Michael has been a source of knowledge and assistance to St. Elizabeth Seton from the first phone call inquiry to the final layout of the pews. He has visited often and has become familiar with the church since prior to the renovations. 

Here is a bit more history. Pews in the Catholic Church were predominantly stone or wood benches until the middle of the 20^th Century when advancing technology blended with the liturgical reforms implemented by the Second Vatican Council (1962-65).  These changes brought about the first “padded” pews in Catholic churches.  When St. Elizabeth Seton was established 50 years ago; the original pews were in keeping with the then current trend. This trend continued until COVID, when churches realized they could not adequately clean and maintain the padded pews and returned to the more traditional pews.

As part of my commitment to oversee our renovations, I traveled to Payette, Idaho to see the actual production of our pews and liturgical furniture. The quality of the workmanship, the actual red oak wood being used, and the completion schedule is very important to all of us. I wanted to see first-hand our investment.  As we sit as a congregation in the future months, I hope that you reflect on the commitment that Jack Marshall had in 1936 when he declared, "Our church furniture is manufactured using materials and methods so that it will be beautiful, serviceable, and comfortable for many years - often as long as the duration of the church building itself. We do not consider our furniture a consumer item, but a permanent capital investment of considerable importance to you.”

The Marshall Pew company is indeed a good partner for St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church.  May we enjoy their workmanship for many years.

In Christ and with Gratitude.

Dr. Kathleen H. Goeppinger
Jubilee Chair