Published: February 07, 2008 11:53 pm      

COMMUNITIES: Lenten fish fry tradition continues in WNY

A popular Western New York tradition is back for Lent.

The fish fry.

A number of local organizations are hosting Friday night fish fry dinners throughout the 40 days of Lent. Lent is a period of time from Ash Wednesday until Easter when some Christian denominations fast in preparation for Easter. On Fridays during Lent, they do not eat meat, but fish is considered OK by some denominations.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Burt began its fish fry a week ago. The Rev. Judith Lee said the church served about 200 people, despite the bad weather. This is the third time the church has run its fish fry while Lee has been at St. Andrews. It’s been very popular, drawing people from as far as Buffalo.

“We served about 300 people per Friday night,” Lee said. “People come from all over.”

The dinners at St. Andrew’s include fish or shrimp, French fries or potato salad, coleslaw, a roll, dessert and a beverage. All of the food is homemade, donated by the parishioners, who enjoy helping out any way possible.

“It’s completely parish run,” Lee said. “There are some friends who help out, and it just brings people together.”

Lee said there is a group that helps out Thursday nights to prepare, and another group that helps set up Friday morning for the dinners. The volunteers will do that every week for the duration of Lent. What draws people to St. Andrews isn’t just the fish, but the atmosphere, Lee said.

“The fish is crisp, not greasy, and the price is as low we can make it,” she said. “Everything is homemade, and the atmosphere is comfortable. The spirit of the room is positive, you never know who you’re going to sit next to.”

Lee said the convenient location and an efficient take-out service also draw people in. Another church, Pendleton Center United Methodist Church on Campbell Boulevard, is also hosting a fish fry during Lent. Like St. Andrew’s, Pendleton Center United has volunteers who are willing to help out in any way.

“Everyone works on it,” said Jan Inwards, communications director at the church. “The volunteers love to serve and help out with everything. We have wonderful volunteers.”

Age doesn’t matter when it comes to volunteering, Inwards said. Some of the people helping out are as young 8 years old and some are well into their 80s. The volunteers do everything, from preparing to serving, to cleaning and hosting. There is quite a lot to do, as the nights tend to get very busy.

“Last year we averaged about 900 dinners,” Inwards said. “We have about 60 or 70 pies every week, and by the end of the night they’re gone.”

The fish fry is well known, as Inwards said the church already received three take-out orders on Thursday, before the dinners even started. The church also draws visitors from all over the region, and some of them eventually become members of the church.

“In Pendleton, we are known as the “fish fry” church,” Inwards said. “A lot of our members became members through the dinners. It’s a wonderful outreach.”

Inwards said the fish is battered and prepared at the church. The portions are large, and she said one fish can feed her and her husband. The church also offers chicken and shrimp.

Organizations other than churches are also hosting fish fry dinners. The Cataract Lodge No. 295, Free and Accepted Masons in Middleport will be serving dinners every Friday during Lent. The dining room in the lodge, located at 20 Main St., will be open at 5 to 7 p.m., with take out available at 4:30 p.m.

Contact reporter Joe Olenickat 439-9222, ext. 6241.