Charity, camaraderie traditions of O’Fallon Knights of Columbus fish fries

Every Friday morning, Chris Blome is in the kitchen preparing his special recipe macaroni and cheese while Walt Haeffner is making his “world-famous” baked beans — his own creation — representing just two of the side dishes for the Friday night fish fry at the O’Fallon Knights of Columbus.

Haeffer has been the hall manager for about nine years. Blome is the hands-on coordinator for the fish fry.

While the O’Fallon Knights of Columbus sponsors a fish fry every Friday during the year, the operation kicks into high gear during the six weeks between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday — the 40 days known as Lent.

“It’s all hands on deck,” Haeffner said.

Catholics are forbidden to eat meat on Fridays during this religious observance of the Christian liturgical calendar.

Members of the K of C Council 4239 work in shifts to prepare cod plates, sandwiches, and shrimp dinners for serving from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4-7:30 p.m. Fridays, with proceeds benefiting their targeted charities.

“I like it for the camaraderie. It’s getting to see all the people coming in,” said member Duane Daniels, who was taking orders and payment (cash, check or credit/debit card).

He’s been a member since he was 18 and is 65 now.

While the pandemic changed indoor operations to a curbside pick-up last year, indoor dining has returned, and they continue an outside pick-up lane for carryout orders.

The fish fries began around 1978.

“Over the years, we’ve changed things around, added new things,” Haeffner said.

The fish is once frozen North Atlantic cod.

“It is the best of the best — it really is,” he said. “We cut it and hand-bread it.”

The breading is a special mix they put together and will not divulge the recipe.

The cod is sold as a plate with two sides — with senior and children discounts — or as a sandwich, and in half-pound and whole pound quantities. The sides are what sets them apart, too.

They offer cole slaw, potato salad, green beans, stewed tomatoes, French fries, onion rings, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, applesauce, hush puppies and spaghetti.

Prices have increased this year because costs have for food, supplies and other items. For instance, canola cooking oil has gone from $19 a gallon to $40.

Glenn Loyet, who has lived in O’Fallon since 1945, was carrying back to his table two heaping plates of food. He joined the council in 1965, noting he and Greg Thomas are the current members that go back the farthest.

“I’m here every Friday,” he said.

Seating is in the lower hall — a dining room adjacent to the bar — but if the crowd grows, the main hall is opened up.

More than just fish, Columbus Club

Burgers and chicken tenders are also available to order.

A weekday menu is offered at the bar that includes appetizers, burgers, and other items.

Directly across from the Community Park on U.S. 50, the hall is operated by The Columbus Club, which is the incorporated entity responsible for the everyday operations and ongoing events.

Haeffner, Blome, and Mona Manzano, events coordinator, are staff employees. Manzano joined the staff full-time in November but has been a bartender for seven years.

“I love talking to people about setting up parties,” she said. “On fish fry Friday, I enjoy seeing the families come in. We have great fish.”

‘It’s good to be a part of something special’

Blome enjoys working there and promotes events on social media.

“It’s good to be a part of something positive,” he said.

The event hall and bar are open to the public. That’s the biggest misconception, Haeffner said — people think you must be a member to patronize.

The Knights of Columbus are a global fraternal organization of Catholic men whose charitable work includes aid and assistance to the sick, disabled, and needy members of the families and the community.

It was founded on the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity in 1882 by the Rev. Michael J. McGivney at a parish in New Haven, Connecticut.

More about O’Fallon Knights of Columbus

The O’Fallon K of C Council was formed in 1956, and ground was broken for the hall in 1962, and completed the next year. The first official function was a Thanksgiving Day dance Nov. 28, 1963, and the hall has been the site for many wedding receptions, family celebrations and fundraising events since then.

Charities the club supports includes Special Olympics, Illinois Center for Autism in Fairview Heights, and SAVE (St. Clair Associated Vocational Enterprises).

The bar is open from 4-10 p.m. daily. Current schedule includes a Queen of Hearts raffle drawing at 7 p.m. and Extreme Bar Bingo at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, $1 chicken wings on Wednesdays, half-pound burger and fries or another side for $5 on Thursdays, fish fry Fridays and pizza on Saturdays. The hall is used for events only Sundays and is closed Mondays.

For more information, visit the website, www.ofallonkchall.com, call (618)632-6229 or email: knightsofcolumbus4239@yahoo.com.