Join Us in the Pad The Pews Campaign!
For nearly 50 years, our cherished church pews have been at the heart of our venue, offering a cozy and familiar place to enjoy performances just 20 feet from the stage.
Many of you have your favorite seats—whether it’s the beloved “center back pew,” the cozy “corner pew near the back door,” or the inviting “front pew to the right as we enter.” These pews have welcomed up to 24 audience members at every show, creating an intimate and beloved space for our community.
But after decades of use, our pews need a refresh!
Godfrey’s inherited the pews from Lehigh University’s The Catacombs, the coffeehouse that predated Godfrey’s during the early 70s, where Dave and The Graveyard Skiffle Band and later, The Shimersville Sheiks, first performed. There was a strong college coffeehouse circuit at the time, with The Bear’s Den at Kutztown University, The Night Owl at Muhlenberg College, and others at Moravian and Lafayette.
As friends gathered to outfit the club, a pirate crew liberated the pews from the no-longer functional Catacombs, and found their way into Godfrey’s in time for our opening in March 1976. Our friend Diane Petro eventually sewed up the current pads, after many years of stark wood bottoms.
The original pads, have served us well through countless performances, conversations, and the occasional coffee spill. Now, it’s time to replace them with thicker, more comfortable padding to enhance your experience.
That’s why we’re launching the Pad The Pews campaign! This is your chance to contribute to this important upgrade while leaving a lasting mark on our venue. By purchasing an embroidered name patch, your generosity will be honored on the new pew-back pads, ensuring comfort for generations to come.
How You Can Help:
🔹 Limited Edition 12” Patch – $1,000 Donation (Only 12 available!)
These larger patches will be the centerpiece of our revamped pew-back pads.
🔹 Smaller 6” Patch – $350 Donation
Dozens of these patches will adorn the pew-back pads alongside the larger patches.
Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference! We quietly introduced the campaign at our recent membership event, and we’re thrilled to share that one limited edition patch has already been claimed!
Together, we can create a beautiful and comfortable space for our community. Our goal is to have all new seat cushions and back pads ready for our reopening in September 2025, just in time for our 50th season!
Thank you from the bottom of our backsides,
Godfrey Daniels
Pad The Pews Sample Patches and Patch Layout (All designs are subject to change)
