By the end of Saturday afternoon the men of Quinn Chapel AME Church had fried up 70 pounds of fish for diners at the annual fish fry.

Started 12 years ago when Melanie Valentine was pastor, the fish fry is a labor of love for the church’s congregation. Filets were dipped in special seasoning and dropped into hot oil by the “chefs” of the church outside, while inside Quinn Chapel, the women dished up macaroni and cheese, cole slaw and baked beans.

All proceeds go to the stewardship fund of the historic church, one of the stops on the Lawrence County Historical Society church walk in December.

“This is a way we can have fellowship and fun,” the Rev. Solomon Cooper, pastor of Quinn Chapel, said. “This is a way for the community to know we are here and they can come and fellowship.”