Pew Rental
In 1887, approximately 1700 people belonged to a church that could only hold 710 people. The pew rental system meant that only 158 seats were free for those who could not afford to rent. An extension was proposed and completed in 1888 providing another 266 seats. At that time, pew rentals provided a dependable source of income for a church. In 1891 they could vary from £1.37 per sitting per annum to 75 pence for the less popular parts of the Church. In 1898, the pew rents amounted to £797 out of a total income of £1700. They were eventually abolished in 1947.
Read more about this topic: St Thomas' Church, Belfast