Fish frying across Butler County as Lent continues
County residents have waited since last Easter for Lenten fish fry season, and the mouthwatering meatless meals prepared Fridays at various local churches and other venues have not disappointed this year.
In addition to fried and baked fish, and a plethora of savory side dishes, those who attend the fish fries also look forward to the smiling faces of the hardworking volunteers who toil all week to make the meals possible.
Initially, fish fries were organized to offer a meal and fellowship to Roman Catholics, who do not eat meat on Fridays during Lent. Today, Catholics happily join fish lovers of all faiths at their favorite fish fry each week.
St. Louis Catholic Church, St. Faustina Parish
John Harding puts a filet into the fryer for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
John Harding puts a filet into the fryer for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
John Harding coats a fish filet with flour for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Patty Hortert applies seasoning to baked fish for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Patty Hortert applies seasoning to baked fish for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Greg Bryan gets some food at the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Patty Hortert applies seasoning to baked fish for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Patty Hortert applies seasoning to baked fish for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Terri Flemming prepares to dip a fish filet into batter for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Terri Flemming prepares to dip a fish filet into batter for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Chris Hortert dumps out fried fish on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Terri Flemming prepares to dip a fish filet into batter for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Patty Hortert applies seasoning to baked fish for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Judy Gaiser organizes the seasonings for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Terri Flemming brushes butter onto cod filets for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
John Harding coats a fish filet with flour for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Volunteers prepare a takeout order at the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Terri Flemming brushes butter onto cod filets for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Judy Gaiser seasons the coating for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Teamwork is key in preparing for a fish fry. Here, from left, Terri Flemming and Patty Hortert prepare fish for baking at the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
John Harding fills up the lemonade dispenser in preparation for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Homemade cakes are prepared for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
From left, Terri Flemming and Patty Hortert prepare fish for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Norman and Madeline Young enjoy a cup of coffee after their meal at the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Judy Gaiser seasons a bucket of coating for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Terri Flemming prepares fish for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
From left, Terri Flemming and Patty Hortert brush butter onto filets for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in West Sunbury, which is part of the St. Faustina Parish. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
American Legion Post 778
Volunteer Shirley Hurley serves food for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at the American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle
The line was long and nearly out the door for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at the American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle
American Legion Post 778 women's auxiliary member Donna Steinheiser helps at the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at the post in Lyndora. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle
American Legion Post 778 women's auxiliary members, from left, Diana Walton and Mary Smith work at the dessert table for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at the post in Lyndora. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle
American Legion Post 778 held a fish fry Friday, Feb. 16. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle
Patrons pack the American Legion Post 778 for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at the post in Lyndora. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle
American Legion Post 778 member Ron Henderson preparesbaked fish for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at the post in Lyndora. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle
Joyce Klabnik, a women's auxiliary member at American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora, prepares a takeout order for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at the post in Lyndora. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle
St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, Divine Grace Parish
Peggy Plocido, of Cranberry Township, serves food at the Divine Grace Parish fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Cranberry Township. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle
St. Ferdinand Catholic Church member J.C. Calhoun, of Cranberry Township, serves soup at the Divine Grace Parish fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Cranberry Township. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle
Menu for the Divine Grace Parish fish fry, held at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Cranberry Township each Friday. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle
Volunteers prepare for patrons at the Divine Grace Parish fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Cranberry Township. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle
Baked fish is on the menu at the Divine Grace Parish fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Cranberry Township. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle
Fried fish is the star at the Divine Grace Parish fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Cranberry Township. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle
