Plymouth Congregational Church

It's amazing how often one can find some of the coolest furniture in the most unexpected places. For instance, this past weekend we were at a wedding taking place at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Whiting, Indiana...

The back room and the minister's office was resplendent with an odd mix of Shaker-inspired dining room tables, mid-century chairs, a coffee maker we would have gladly smuggled out had the guilt-factor not been through the roof and a variety of interesting lamps and side tables.

See for yourself...

Divine inspiration, indeed!

Comments (14)

I live in Indiana and the chairs and tables are pretty standard church furniture.
What does the rest of the world use in their churchs?

posted by Cally on May 19th 2008 at 12:52pm
view Cally's profile

My parents had a coffee table that matched the side table in the first photo. I recognized it by the dovetail details and the black-painted or -stained feet.

posted by pvett on May 19th 2008 at 12:56pm
view pvett's profile

Overstuffed chintz, mostly. Some imitation Louis XIV. And really, really awful carpet.

posted by Kathryne on May 19th 2008 at 1:01pm
view Kathryne's profile

Awesome pics!!

posted by I Love Upstate on May 19th 2008 at 1:09pm
view I Love Upstate's profile

Um, for the record, my comment was meant to be a reply to "what does the rest of the world use in their churchs"--not a comment on the Congregationalists' decorating job, which is a lovely alternative :-)

posted by Kathryne on May 19th 2008 at 1:18pm
view Kathryne's profile

I have that side table, and several other pieces from the same line! It's by Lane, the "Acclaim" line from the 60's designed by Andre Bus. It got pretty collectible a few years ago.

I want that coffee pot though.

posted by midmogirl on May 19th 2008 at 1:22pm
view midmogirl's profile

yeah, to me it looks kinda dentist-office industrial, but i must say it's soothing. maybe it's the turquoise carpet?

posted by pinko on May 19th 2008 at 1:24pm
view pinko's profile

I just found an identical side table at a goodwill a month and a half ago. I am in process of refinishing it because it was terribly marked up by stains. It was only $9 and i bought it cause it was a Lane piece and looked solid. I didn't know they were collectible.

posted by streepyj on May 19th 2008 at 2:00pm
view streepyj's profile

Um, yeah. Well...no...thanks though.

posted by hdtex on May 19th 2008 at 2:06pm
view hdtex's profile

i would've never given this furniture a second thought if i weren't on AT daily :) maybe i should scour the churches around here...

posted by selena on May 19th 2008 at 5:21pm
view selena's profile

I love that design makes us recognize the beauty in everyday things most people wouldn't look twice at, or would even find ugly.

posted by eirracoes on May 19th 2008 at 6:09pm
view eirracoes's profile

As for finding awesome furniture in odd places, I work for the government and I am always confronted by some cool pieces. The building I work in was built in the sixties. They have remodeled it through the decades. Some odds and ends have resisted and seem to be hanging on. Sometimes I'll enter an office or be walking down a hallway and I'll see something really special. I feel bad that they are underappreciated. :(

posted by steven77 on May 19th 2008 at 9:19pm
view steven77's profile

I have that Lane endtable. I love the inlaid wood.

posted by jaimesy on May 20th 2008 at 5:52am
view jaimesy's profile

Having grown up in the "mid-century" that is now so cool, it all just looks like ordinary furniture to me. (oops, is that heresy?)

posted by smallcitybeth on May 20th 2008 at 5:29pm
view smallcitybeth's profile