How to Determine the Height of Pendant Lighting Fixtures for a Church Sanctuary
Pendant lighting fixtures come in many different beautiful designs, and historically this type of lighting fixture is highly suitable to the architecture found in the sanctuary of a church, as it mimics the chandelier. The chandelier was a metal fixture designed to hold an oil lamp or many candles upright which was hung from the roof of a large building, such as a cathedral, to light the dark interior. Historically, the chandelier was used from prehistoric times until the 1600s. The chandelier was designed so that the center metal piece, to which one lamp or several arms were attached to hold a lamp or candle, was designed to be higher than the flame so that the flames could not accidentally touch the roof and set it ablaze. The whole metal frame, made up of the center piece, the lamp or arms and the lighted lamp or candle, was hung on a chain or rope which was raised and lowered by pulleys as needed.
Today's pendant fixtures come in a great variety of styles, but, though chandeliers are considered to be pendant lights, are usually made up of one down-ward facing light with a rope or chain attaching it to the roof or rafter beam of the sanctuary. The lights from some pendants are focused, like a flashlight overhead facing downward. But other pendants have a translucent shade that allows a larger spread of the light outward. This is more preferable for the church sanctuary.
Pendant lights must be installed by an electrician, because of the complex wiring process involved with this type of fixture. Usually the light switch has a dimmer, so that the lights may be turned down for a quieter atmosphere in the sanctuary.
So whether your church is contemporary or traditional, the pendant fixture will fit the architecture of your sanctuary. Now, you need to know the formula for how high to hang the pendant fixtures. You don't want them to be so high that the light does not reach the worshipers, nor do you want them so low that they brush the heads of your taller members. Follow the steps below to determine the exact height at which to hang the pendant lighting fixtures in your sanctuary.
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Things You'll Need
- Ladders or scaffolding to reach the ceiling or beams
- Tape measures
- Several plumb bobs and string
Instructions
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1
Measure the height of the tallest part of the church pews and make a note of this measurement (A).
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2
Measure the height of the ceiling or lowest rafter or beam in the sanctuary (B). If the ceiling is pitched, determine the half-way point between the juncture of the wall and ceiling and the highest point in the sanctuary and determine the height of this point (B).
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3
Subtract the first number (A) from the second number (B) to find the difference (B -A). Divide the difference in half to find (C). This will be the length of the chain or cord plus the pendant light fixture, measured from the ceiling attachment to the bottom of the pendant light. Make a note of how far above the floor this point is. If there are level rafters and beams crossing the sanctuary from which the lights will be hung, the bottom of the pendant lighting fixture should hang this far above the floor to be geometrically and proportionately correct for the space within your sanctuary.
No matter what point is determined by this equation, the bottoms of the fixtures should never hang lower than 8 feet above the floor of the sanctuary, as you do not want the fixtures to hang too low for worshipers and objects of worship to pass under.
Since a pitched ceiling does not allow for one length for all fixtures, use the equation in Step 2 to determine the half-way point in the pitch of the ceiling. Half the distance from the top of the pew to this point determines the point at which you wish the bottom of each fixture to come. The length of each fixture's cord will therefore be different, depending upon where it is hung on the pitched ceiling, but the bottoms of all of the fixtures will be the same height above the floor.
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Hang a test string with a plumb bob, with the total length as long as what the wire and the pendant would be together, in each spot where a fixture will be hung, and step to the rear or front of the sanctuary to observe their lengths. You will be able to determine if the height of the fixtures is too high or too low in your sanctuary to light the congregation appropriately. An extremely tall sanctuary roof may need the length of the fixture cords adjusted to be longer, so that the light will not have as far to fall. However, lowering the light fixtures too much may leave the area above the fixtures in total darkness, which is also undesirable. Once the proper length is determined, hang the fixtures in their places.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose a fixture that is proportionate to your sanctuary. A very large sanctuary can hold quite large hanging fixtures without their appearing to be overly large and heavy. Small sanctuaries call for smaller fixtures. In other words, choose the fixture that is proportionate to the space in your sanctuary.
Do not attempt to use scaffolding or to install hanging light fixtures yourself. This is a job for a licensed electrician and is too dangerous for do-it-yourselfers to attempt, no matter how well-meaning they may be.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo, charts and drawings by Jill Baker
