'God & Cod': Community Church of Harrison City hosts 1st Lenten fish fry in 3 years

The fully outfitted fisherman standing along Route 130 — replete with coat, boots, hat and a three-foot long artificial cod dangling from a fishing pole — was the first sign that the traditional Friday Lenten fish fry had returned to the Community Church of Harrison City after a three-year hiatus.

“Fisherman” George Hollenbeck said he was happy to help welcome customers back to the dining hall, which was shuttered after the 2018 Lenten season for an expansive, $8 million renovation project. The popular cafeteria-style dinners were canceled the next two years because of coronavirus restrictions, said longtime volunteer and fish fry organizer Kendra Simpson.

“Oh, they were looking for volunteers, and I decided to help out. We’re glad to be back,” Hollenbeck said.

Although many fish fries in the region aren’t being held this year due to rising prices and potential supply issues, Simpson said she made arrangements with suppliers well in advance.

“I can tell you we are all very excited to get back here. We are anxious to show off our new facility, invite the entire community to come and see it,” Simpson said. “I understand why so many organizations canceled, but we’re really here for the community fellowship.”

Chuck Shoup pointed to the motto emblazoned on the back of T-shirts worn by volunteers: “Serving God & Cod since 2005.”

An hour before the first dinner on March 4, volunteers gathered to pray that the fish fry would be a success, Simpson said.

“I have to admit… we did have to get out our ‘Fish Bible’ we’ve compiled over the years for reference,” Simpson quipped.

The plan included spacing out hundreds of diners in the multi-ministry, reception and cafe areas.

Fish fries at the church began 17 years ago and rose in popularity through the years, eventually serving more than 800 meals each of the six Fridays during Lent, Simpson said. With the nearby Claridge Volunteer Fire Department fish fry being canceled this year, Simpson was unsure of what impact it would have on the church dinners.

Diners at the first fry of the season were directed into parking areas by church volunteers. The full lot and crowd inside indicated that no one forgot about the church meals during the three-year absence.

The waiting line stretched through one hallway from the multipurpose room, down another hallway past the cafe and into the modern reception area of the church. But even as diners made their selections cafeteria-style, most waited only about 20 minutes to pass through.

It takes between 70 to 100 volunteers who begin prep work Thursday evenings and continue on Fridays for the 4-7:30 p.m. dinners to make it work, Simpson said.

Don Brieg and his wife, Carolyn, both said the church fish fry was a welcome return to normalcy after the pandemic.

“It’s as good as it was before,” Don Brieg said.

“It’s delicious and the offerings as as good as before… although a little more expensive,” Carolyn Brieg said.

Nearby, 10-year-old Luke Gratter, his mother Renee and father Matthew, of Jeannette, were enjoying the seafood entrees.

“It’s really good,” the fifth grader said.

Dinners are $14 for adults and $8 for children. The hot entree choice is fried battered cod, baked fish, crab cake or chicken tenders and dinners come with a choice of sides, dessert and drink.

Hot sides include french fries, homemade macaroni and cheese, homemade haluski, green beans or pierogies; cold sides include coleslaw, applesauce or tossed salad.

More information on the church and dinners is available at communityumchurch.com/