Needlepoint Pew Cushions

Step inside the sanctuary of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon, and you will be impressed by the extraordinary beauty of the seventy-two pews adorned with needlepoint cushions reflecting the designs and colors of the four towering stained glass windows.

The Needlepoint pew cushions, completed over a period of thirteen years, are expected to serve the church for at least a century. They represent an undertaking by over one hundred and fifty volunteers, skilled and unskilled, who shared the purpose of enhancing the worship services and making a lasting creative art form.

About two-thirds of the design replicate the patterns from windows. The other one-third are pictorial representing religious and secular themes. All backgrounds feature a blended heather technique done in pinks and purples, and all boards reflect the Gothic tracery framing the windows. The designs were drawn in four major themes: biblical stories, characters, symbols, and flora and fauna. Secular designs include local history and landmarks and Westminster's history and missions. These two categories emphasize the church's strong position within the community.

The project interested many who were new to needlepoint, so classes were offered to teach proficiency in the basket weave stitch. The roster includes over one hundred and fifty stitchers - men and women, ages twelve to ninety-five, members of the congregation as well as members from the community, friends and relatives living in many distant states.

A dedication of the pew cushion completion was held in 2004. A book with the entire history including pictures, location, and explanation of all the needlepoint cushions is available for purchase. Tours are available by calling the church office.