It’s a 128-year-old tradition, a time in which everyone is invited to join in fellowship with one of the oldest churches in the area. Monday evening, Zion Episcopal Church will continue its annual fish fry.

It started out well before the turn of the 21^st century, a tradition that coincided with the end of Easter and Lent seasons, according to Pack Hindsley, who’s been a member of the church for the past 15 years. The activity brought men out to catch herring and shad that later would be fried, while women prepared the last of their families’ winter stores, such as potatoes and turnips, Hindsley said.

“They’d cook it up and have a big party for everyone in the community,” Hindsley said. “Our church has wanted to continue that tradition and has. It’s a time of fun and meeting people.”

Though the men at the church no longer catch the fish, the church orders around 60 pounds to accommodate the 200-some people who usually show up for the fish fry, Hindsley said. Potato casseroles, cole slaw, hush puppies and other side dishes, desserts and drinks, complement the main attraction.

Hindsley, the official fish fryer, uses the event to pass the tradition on to younger generations with a single lesson — learning to fry the fish. Neighborhood children and younger church members are taken under Hindsley’s wing and taught the art of frying fish.

“All the kids that have been raised in this church come back for this event and participate in some way,” Hindsley said. “I encourage children in the community to learn how to cook fish. It’s a community sort of thing. That’s what it’s all about.”

Hindsley said people of all races and backgrounds come out to join the church for the celebration just as they did when the tradition was in its infancy. All are invited to come to church services.

This year’s fish fry also happens to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the church’s minister, Rev. Sarah Saxe, Hindsley said.

“We encourage people to come to our church, but we encourage them to do community things and be involved and see it’s a worthwhile thing to do. That’s what we’re all about in Washington. We’re all about being a community,” he said.

The gathering will start Monday at 5 p.m., and though it is free to all who attend, the church accepts and appreciates donations, according to Hindsley.

Zion Episcopal Church is located at 7302 U.S. Highway 264 East in Washington.