LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Fridays during Lent means fish for many Catholics, and churches in Kentuckiana are ready to fry it up.
Fish fries are big fundraisers for churches in the Louisville Archdiocese including smaller parishes like St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church near Okolona.
The church is tucked away in a small neighborhood, but during Lent, you can't pass it up. Hundreds of people line up each week to wait in line for their fish fry.
For decades, people of all ages have gathered for the Friday night meal including parishioner Rick Wheatley, who said he's been there from the beginning.
Wheatley spent Thursday getting everything ready for the first Lenten fish fry of the year.
"We invite everybody to come. You don't have to belong to this church or any Catholic church. You know, whatever church you belong to is fine with me. I think it's great you belong to a church," he said.
Volunteers washed 100 pounds of onions and thawed 300 pounds of cod.
"When we get done, it's a pretty big mess. You sling around the flour and the breading and milk and all that, so we look pretty rough by the end of the night," Wheatley said. "It's great. It's hard work, but it's enjoyable."
For more than 40 years, Wheatley has helped with the big project alongside his buddies: Roy Montfort, Ron Kleinhelter, and Mark Echsner.
"This is probably our biggest fundraiser," Wheatley said. "They're like brothers to me."
"We have a reputation of probably one of the best fish sandwiches in town," Echsner, said. "We have a lot of people from the neighborhood in the community itself that come up here and look forward to our fish fries."
For $13, you can get half a pound of fish, two sides and a drink. They also have pizza for children.
"Everything is homemade. We cook it all right here," said Echsner. "It's pretty reasonably priced."
A good meal for good people. "I love it here. I wouldn't go anywhere else," Wheatley said.
To learn about St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, click here.
Fish fries are big fundraisers for churches in the Louisville Archdiocese including smaller parishes like St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church near Okolona. (WDRB Image by Molly Jett) Feb. 15, 2024
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Friday Fish Fry (during Lent)
- 11501 Maple Way, Louisville, KY 40229
- Feb. 9-23, March 1-22
- 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Dine-in or carry-out
- Menu: Fish plate, fish sandwich, baked fish, fried oysters, coleslaw, corn on the cob, macaroni & cheese, onion rings, french fries, green beans, various desserts and iced tea
They only accept payment in cash and check, no credit or debit cards.
To see a list of more than 60 Louisville area churches holding Fish Fries during Lent, click here.
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