Fish frying across Butler County as Lent continues

Morgan Phillips and Ed Thompson

February 24, 2024 Last Updated: February 23, 2024 12:26 PM Community

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 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

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

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

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

Ed Thompson

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

Ed Thompson

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

Ed Thompson

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

Ed Thompson

American Legion Post 778 held a fish fry Friday, Feb. 16. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle

Ed Thompson

Patrons pack the American Legion Post 778 for the fish fry on Friday, Feb. 16, at the post in Lyndora. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle

Ed Thompson

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

Ed Thompson

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

Ed Thompson

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

Ed Thompson

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

Ed Thompson

Menu for the Divine Grace Parish fish fry, held at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Cranberry Township each Friday. Ed Thompson/Butler Eagle

Ed Thompson

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

Ed Thompson

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

Ed Thompson

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

Ed Thompson