Matt, the wood can be either since the cost is just about the same. White oak is a little cheaper around here but not by much. Red and White Oak are almost interchangeable as they age so it may be difficult to find out. Green stain can be used to mute the red color of certain wood so perhaps it was too red for them originally? Best way is to experiment with the same wood in an inconspicuous area, perhaps from underneath the pew? Best people to take samples of wood to are flooring guys and even they can have a hard time identifying pieces.Put one end of newly cut red oak in water and you can blow bubbles with it ( most times). That will change with wood sitting for a long period of time though. The rays and grains are different as well but sometimes it’s subtle. Google it and you’ll find ways to tell, probably too many…I had to do this very same thing to match a flooring job and after all my research and passing a piece around to lots of lumber people as I went, it came down to this old flooring guy that had been working in the yard forever. Even he had a little difficulty. Good luck.
