George of the Padded Pew was a sermon illustration ‘meme’ developed by the Rev. Harold G. Woodworth. His friend and artist Dick Theide created the original George of the Padded Pew (see above).  

In 2026, The Padded Pew Ministries re-employed George to help market the line of religious humor books and group study guides. We determined then to add a wife to sit beside George. Mendy Baptist of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church was kind enough to permit use of her first name for this purpose. Thanks, Mendy!