In the 1800s, fish frys came to America with German and Polish immigrants. Since then, fish frys have become an important part of American culture, especially for those practicing the Catholic faith.
In spring, the Catholic holiday of Lent begins. Starting 46 days before Easter Sunday, Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is tradition to give up something during Lent, such as candy or other sweet treats, as a fast. However, every Friday, all Catholics abstain from eating meat. To replace meat, it is common for Catholic families to enjoy fish as their main source of protein, a food that is mentioned many times in scripture. To make this practice less inconvenient for some, fish frys became popular.
A fish fry is a social gathering, typically in a church or community building, that sells deep fried fish and fries, among other things. While menu items differ by location, the fish is served with a variety of side dishes, alongside the fries. One can often also find coleslaw, macaroni and cheese or pierogies. Common desserts include homemade pies and cookies, as well as more traditional treats such as rice pudding.
In Washington County, there are many options for fish frys. A couple fan-favorites include St. James Parish and John F. Kennedy Catholic School; they both hold fish frys at Immaculate Conception Church Hall. Another nearby fish fry is hosted by St. Katherine Drexel Parish in Bentleyville. The parish serves meals on Fridays during Lent at Drexel Hall, where community members can stop in for lunch or dinner at their convenience.
Sophomore Jane Bieranoski said, “My favorite fish fry in the area is the Saint James Parish Fish Fry because they always have delicious food and speedy orders. You can tell they put a lot of effort into bringing the community together to help raise money for the church and JFK Catholic School.”
When organizing these events, it is common for establishments to provide opportunities for guests to support them or allow them to donate to another cause while ordering. The Lone Pine Volunteer Fire Department provides weekly meals while raising money for the department and its services, for example. In addition to offering a convenient way to adhere to faith, the fish frys also attract customers because of the benefits for the community.
Fish frys have become a well-known tradition in Western Pennsylvania, where large Catholic communities helped popularize the events many years ago. Today, hundreds of locations across the Pittsburgh region hold fish frys each Lenten season.
For many in Washington County, the events are about more than just food. Fish frys provide a chance for neighbors to gather, support local organizations, and continue a seasonal tradition that has become a familiar part of the Lenten calendar.
