Ronald Emett Church Furniture

Featured project: Ruxley Church, West Ewell, Surrey

The new Ruxley Church in West Ewell, Surrey, is the fruit of many years' co-operation between the local Anglican and Methodist congregations. Both of their church buildings were at the end of their useful life, so shortly before the millenium plans were laid to build a new church for both congregations to use as one.

The impressive new building in Ruxley Lane, standing on the site of the former Anglican Church of St Francis, was designed by Scala Architects. It was opened in June 2013.

I was asked to design and make a complete suite of sanctuary furniture for Ruxley Church, comprising altar, credence table, lectern, paschal candle stand, communion rails, clergy chairs, wall cross and altar candle holders. The light and airy interior suggested maple as the basic material, while the circular plan of the sanctuary gave rise to the innovative shape and detailing of the altar and credence table.

Paschal candle stand in maple, with walnut details

Lectern in maple, with walnut details
(Moves on concealed castors; wired for sound)

The altar viewed from above: the idea of the sharing and distribution of Holy Communion is suggested by maple boards radiating from a central 'boss' of burr maple, all within a semicircular shape.
The candle holders are turned from the same maple wood that was used for the altar.

Clergy chairs in maple with walnut details

Credence table - of similar construction to the altar

Wall cross in scorched and scrubbed elm with smooth maple inlay

Detail of altar candle holder