Preston — St. James Episcopal Church has postponed its popular annual Lenten fish fry due to the COVID-19 pandemic and hopes to reschedule the dinners for sometime in fall.

“We love our patrons too much to even attempt doing take-out,” said Rev. Kim Litsey, priest at St. James. “God is calling us to do what is right during difficult times. We look forward to bringing these cherished community dinners back later in the year.”

St. James has hosted the annual Friday Lenten fish dinners for the past 55 years and annually has brought about 500 people weekly to the church at the junction of routes 117 and 2A. The dinners are a fundraiser for the church.

“Frying fish is a sacred art form at St. James,” parishioner and master fryer George Warner said.

Serving up 350 to 400 pounds of fish per week during normal years, the fundraiser also supports several local businesses that sell food and supplies for the event. Church members wait tables, cook, wash dishes and prepare the desserts. Local Boy Scouts from Troop 75 help with takeout orders and cleanup, while volunteers from the neighboring Poquetanuck Fire Department direct traffic.

St. James Episcopal Church is at 95 Rt. 2A in Preston. The parish holds worship services online at 9 a.m. Sundays and all are welcome. For more information about the parish, the community fish dinners, or to make a donation, call (860) 889-0150 or visit stjamespreston.org.