| Church Dinners. This is the first page that I did on the Web more than ten years ago to keep track of church chicken dinners in the area. I hope to keep adding to it and to keep the information as current as I can. |
When
I was a boy, my parents would load my sister and me into the car and take us to
a Sunday chicken dinner at one of the churches in southeastern Indiana. When I
was old enough to resist, such trips ended for me. Now, as I become my father,
there has been a rediscovery. This isn't such a bad idea after all. In fact,
it's one of the best deals around.
Southeastern Indiana has a number of small
Catholic churches in the rural areas. During the summer, most have a festival
where the main feature is the "family-style" or cafeteria-style
chicken dinner. For family style meals, at about $8-10 a person, you will be seated
at a large table with other families and be served deep fried chicken and all
the fixin's in large bowls. As you empty the bowls and platters, more is served.
The price includes the drink and dessert. About half the time, the desserts are
home made. Cafeteria-style dinners are served as you proceed through a line
receiving all your food at once (usually there are a couple of items, such as
slaw, on the table.) Many times, you will find pleasant companions at the table and be
reminded of a simpler, more friendly way of life.
What time is it? Dinners in Indiana were sometimes marked as Slow Time or
Fast Time because some areas did not recognize Daylight Savings time.
In 2006 the Indiana legislature changed this to place the entire state on
Daylight Savings Time (EDT) so you can now forget about fast and slow times.
I have built the following small index of these
church dinners and encourage you to try one of them on a summer day. They are
mainly located in Indiana and, on average, within 45 minutes of Cincinnati. When
I confirm the time with the church, I will change the date to a blue script to
indicate the new year. Typically, each church has its dinner on
the same (1st., 2nd., 3rd., etc.) Sunday of the
given month. I hope to add to this list of church dinners and to make
corrections and fill in some of the missing information (I also want to continue adding
pictures of the churches and entries to my diary). I know that the list is not complete and would really
like to fill in some of the open weeks. If you have information to share on
these church dinners, please contact me at cheilmann@fuse.net
 |
New Chicken Dinner Videos by Carl Started Sept. 2008 | -- |
So far, St John Dry Ridge, St. Peter
near Brookville Aug. 2009: Added St. Paul and St. Pius Check it out Also 2009: Cedar Grove Firemen, St. Michael |
 |
| Chicken Dinner Diary (Started May 20, 2002) | -- Click Here | |||
| Chicken Dinner Summary Page |
-- Click Here |
|||
| Cincinnati Enquirer Video St. Paul (Aug. 23, 2006 | -- Click Here | |||
| Cincinnati Enquirer Turtle Soup (Aug. 16, 2006) | -- Click Here | |||
| Cincinnati Enquirer Article Revisited (July 23, 2004) | -- Click Here | |||
| Cincinnati Enquirer Article Main Part (Aug. 22, 2001) | -- Click Here | |||
| Cincinnati Enquirer Article Carl Part (Aug. 22, 2001) | -- Click Here | |||
|
|
Cincinnati Enquirer Article Original (Aug. 13, 2000) |
-- Click Here |
Church Dinner Listings Follow This page was last updated on August 12, 2010.
| I will try to keep the information current, at least a month in advance (confirmed dates are written in blue). |
|
Date |
Time |
Church |
Town |
Directions |
Good Things |
Comments |
|
March 21 2010 Sunday New, Added Feb. 2006 |
1-5 p.m. EDT Carry-Out 1-6 |
St. Ann (513) 521-8440 8, 9:30, 11:30 a.m. mass EST |
Cincinnati, OH (community of Groesbeck) |
2900 W. Galbraith Rd. From I-74, Exit 18 to Colerain .2 mi., R Beekman .2 mi., L Colerain 4.6 mi., R Galbraith .3 mi. |
Chicken fried by experienced Cedar Grove
firemen, special slaw recipe from St. Paul's at New Alsace |
Cafeteria Style $10 & $5 (10) chicken, potatoes/gravy, corn/green beans, slaw, rolls, drink, dessert, hourly raffle and kids activities |
|
Saturday April 24, 2010 New, Added Feb. 2008 Saturday |
4:30-7 EDT |
St. Maurice 812-852-4394 (Arlene Gehl) Sat. mass 6 p.m. EST (every Saturday) |
Ripley County Napoleon IN |
I-74 Batesville exit, south to cross IN-46,
State Rd. 229 (12.5 mi. fr I-74) OR I-74 New Point exit to County Rd. 850 to cross IN-46 for 7 mi. (becomes Cty. Rd. 350W) |
All-you-can-eat Smorgasbord, serve yourself buffet style |
Buffet style, $8 (10) Turkey, dressing, roast beef, meat loaf, spaghetti, veggies, salads, home made desserts Home-made quilt raffle |
|
May
14-16,
2010 Always Saturday- Sunday after Mother's Day Changed the Dinner Entree for 2010 |
Saturday 4-8 p.m.,
Sunday 4-8 p.m. EDT |
St. Catharine of Siena (513) 661-0651 Held at Harvest Home Park |
Cincinnati OH (community of Cheviot) |
I-74 to Montana Ave., left on Montana, right on Western-Northern, left on North Bend | There will be no grilled chicken dinner in 2010 |
This year there is an Italian theme with
several restaurants presenting food in a the "Taste of Cincinnati"
format. |
|
June 6, 2010 |
11:00 - 1:30 EDT |
St. John’s United Church of Christ |
Penntown – Sunman IN (near the Old
Brick tavern) |
I-74 Sunman exit, 101 South, next street
past 4-way stop at 101 and 46 (1300 N) |
This almost seemed like a covered dish dinner;
Edith liked the various salads on the table. |
Cafeteria style, $ no fixed price - donation, with chicken, potato salad, noodles, homemade dessert. Tables had homemade salads and chicken refills. |
|
June 6, 2010 always 1st. (or 2nd. Sunday in June -- varies |
12 - 7 p.m. EDT |
Queen of Peace
(513) 863-4344
|
Millville OH | I-275 to Colerain, Rt. 27 to Millville Rd., go right for 1/2 mi. |
Noodles and home
made deserts. Air-conditioned. |
Family style, $9 & $4
(07) Festival Fri., Sat., Sun. Band Sat 7-11, Sun 4-8. Sat. at 11 for fireworks. (Added 2001) |
|
June 13, 2010 always 2nd. full weekend in June (was 1st. weekend in 2003?) |
12 – 6 p.m. EDT |
Assumption (513) 521- 7274 8, 9:30, 11 a.m. mass, EDT |
Mt. Healthy OH |
I-275 to Mt. Healthy exit, South on Hamilton,
East on Adams to 7711 Joseph St. |
Green beans w. ham, home made deserts and No.
1 slaw (per Wm. Macke) . Air conditioned |
Family style, $7 & $3.50
(02) Festival Fri., Sat., Sun. Band Sat 7-11, Sun 4-8. Sat. at 11 for fireworks. (Added 2001) |
|
June 27, 2010 |
10:30 |
St Nicholas 812-623-2894 - Ken Hountz (812) 623-2348 --School (812) 623-2964 --Church 10:15 a.m. mass, |
Sunman IN |
I-74 Sunman exit, left, SR 101 South into Sunman, cross RR tracks, turn right and follow signs |
Country fried chicken, noodles, homemade pies, great mock turtle soup, and friendly people. Charlie Lipps' favorite. |
Cafeteria style, $8, ('08), carryout $7.
This was our first church dinner and always seems special. Went to mass
and then dinner. Homemade cakes, quilts, jellies; games & raffles;
handicap access. |
|
June 27, 2010 always weekend after Father's Day |
11 a.m. | St. John The Baptist (513) 367-9086 | Harrison OH | I-74 to Harrison OH to 110 N. Hill St. | Specially raised chicken, everything is home made. Air-conditioned. Line moved pretty fast. Good chicken and good gravy. | Family style chicken and home fried. It’s in the older section of Harrison. $8 & $3.50 (’01). Pulled pork sandwiches (special sauced) Fri.& Sat. are large and juicy and tend to sell out early. |
|
June 27, 2010 Changed to always last Sunday in June (was 1st. Sunday in July) |
10:30 - 3:00 |
St. Maurice 812-663-4754 10 a.m. mass, |
Decatur County IN |
I-74 to Exit 143 to County Rd. 850 N. |
We never went here but will someday. They seem like nice folks. |
Cafeteria Style, $6 ('97). |
|
July 11, 2010 always 2nd. wknd in July |
11:30-6:00 |
St. Lawrence 812-537-3992 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m. masses |
Lawrenceburg IN |
US-50 West to Lawrenceburg at top of Walnut St. |
Close to Cincinnati, near the riverboat. Home of my aunt Bernadine and uncle Henry Groh. Juicy chicken |
Cafeteria style, $8.00 ('04). It's right at the top of Walnut St. Good chicken, dressing and homemade desserts. Also, on Saturday, a German dinner and band, and Friday a pork chop dinner. |
|
July 18, 2010 |
11 a.m. – 5
p.m. EDT |
St. John The Baptist 812-576-4302 10
a.m. mass EDT |
Dover IN |
I-74, St. Leon
exit, 2 miles South on Rt. 1 |
Slaw refills on the table. New Air Conditioning |
Cafeteria style. $10
(’10) Pat Harper says they have the best home-made pies and cole slaw,
4 pieces of chicken. Historic church and parish; they pride themselves on
friendliness. Entertainment. |
|
Saturday July 24, 2010
|
4:30-8 p.m. Reservations not needed. |
St. Martin 812-623-3408 (812) 487-2846, mass 4 p.m. Saturday |
Yorkville IN |
RT. 1 to Guilford, follow Yorkridge Rd. |
Prime rib 9 oz., baked potato one serving, unlimited salad bar, home made deserts. Inside dining AC and outside dining available |
Saturday, started in 1993 and getting more and more popular, $15 adults, $5 kids ('09). Beat the crowds at 5 p.m. |
|
Sunday July 25, 2010
always
|
11:30 a.m. |
St. Martin mass 10:30 a.m. Sunday |
Yorkville IN |
RT. 1 to Guilford, follow Yorkridge Rd. |
Juicy chicken, good bread dressing. Inside dining AC and outside dining available. |
Sunday, Cafeteria style, $9.00 adults, $4.50 kids ('09). Went to mass before dinner, pretty church. |
|
August 7, 2005
|
11 a.m. - 4 p.m., slow time. |
St. John The Baptist 812-689-4244, 8 & 10:30 a.m. mass slow time |
Osgood IN |
US 50W thru Lawrenceburg, near Aurora take RT 350W to Osgood. |
Known for their noodles and slaw. Air-conditioned church and hall. |
Cafeteria style. It's right in town. $6 & $3 ('00). Home made crafts and raffle. |
|
Aug. 1, 2010 always 2nd. Sunday in August (“usually”) |
11 - 7 EDT | St.Aloysius (513) 738-1014 mass 10 a.m. EDT (normally 11 a.m.) | Shandon OH | SR 128 to Ross then West on SR 126 (Cincinnati- Brookville Rd.) for about 5 miles. | Fresh corn cut from the cob, noodles, tomatoes, AC | Family style, $9 ('07). In our top three, 12-12:30 is good time to beat the crowd. |
|
Saturday August 7, 2010 always first Fri.-Sat. in August |
3:30 to 8:30 |
St. Leon Firemen's Festival Fire House 812-576-3351 Church (812) 576-3336 |
St. Leon IN | I-74, St. Leon exit, Rt. 1 N. for just a few miles | St. Joseph, (100 yards up the street,) has no chicken dinner but the fire department does and is mainly made up of parishioners. | Family style $7.50 ('01) Good chicken, homemade desserts, good brown gravy. (Also fish fry on Friday 5 - 8:30 EDT.) |
|
Aug. 8, 2010 |
11 – 4 EDT |
St Paul 812-623-2631 mass 9 a.m. EDT |
New Alsace IN |
I-74 to St. Leon exit, left Rt. 1 right on North Dearborn Rd. |
Norb from Delhi has gone since he was 5 and has gone more than 40 years. It's also at the top of Bill Lape's list. |
Family style, $10 & 5 (09) friendly waitresses, nice large hall, bread dressing like my Mom made. |
|
Aug.15, 2010 Always 2nd. weekend August |
1-7 EDT | St. Joseph 859-341-6609 Masses 8, 9:30, 11:30 a.m. EDT | Crescent Springs KY | I-75 to Buttermilk Pk. exit, West for 1/2 mi. | Four generations of the Noll family have been frying chicken since 1955. | Cafeteria style, $5.50 1/4 chicken, $7 1/2 (04) with mashed potatoes, beans, slaw, home-made desserts (also roast beef.) |
|
Aug. 15, 2010 |
11- 6 EDT |
St. John The Baptist (of Dry Ridge) (513) 385-8010 mass 8:30, 11 a.m. |
Colerain Twp. Cincinnati |
Dry Ridge Rd. off Colerain Ave. near I-275 |
Fresh corn cut from the cob, cucumber salad, noodles, AC |
Family style, $10
('10). In our top
three, line moves pretty fast. |
|
Aug. 15, 2010 |
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
St. Pius 812-623-3261 (Jerry Volz)
|
Ripley County |
I-74 to Sunman exit 156, 101S for 6 mi. to IN 48W, right for 4.5 mi. to the country road 500E, turn left to church, which is less than a mile |
Served ½ chicken hot & juicy, good milk gravy, great slaw with a touch of creaminess. This year they served a small bowl of gizzards. |
2009 -- 150th. Anniversary Family style, $9 ('09). Homemade cakes, fresh tomatoes, carryout mock turtle soup. Quilt raffles, games; country setting surrounded by farm fields. |
|
Saturday |
3 - 7 p.m. Fire Dispatch Center (765) 647-5555 |
Cedar Grove Firemen -- |
Cedar Grove IN |
I-74 Brookville exit, US 52 North |
Fresh tomatoes, slaw, beans. |
Cafeteria style with slaw and tomatoes on the table $9.50 ('09). Cedar Grove firemen hold this festival. Fish dinner on Friday night, 5 - 8 p.m. EST. |
|
Sunday Sept. 5, 2010 always Sunday before Labor Day |
11 -5 EST |
St. John the Evangelist Church 812-934-2880 8 a.m. mass EST |
Enochsburg IN | I-74 New Point St. Maurice exit (one exit west of Batesville), right and right at Base Rd. | Slaw and juicy red tomatoes. Chicken was hot from the fryer. | Cafeteria style with slaw and tomatoes on the table $7.00 ('02). Three pieces of chicken, beans corn, bread- dressing, potatoes. |
|
Sunday Sept. 5 2010 always Sunday before Labor Day |
East side 11:30 - 7 Added 8/18/06
|
St. Angela Merici |
Fayetteville OH Held on grounds of St. Patrick 130 Lake St. |
I-275 to exit 59B to US 50E (Hillsboro exit),
20 miles to Fayetteville, right on Russell, right on E. Lake |
1/2 fried chicken | Cafeteria style, $6.50 (08) Chicken or roast beef, corn and beans, slaw and tomatoes on the table. |
|
Monday Sept. 6 2010
|
10:45-2:45 |
St Peter's Church 812-623-3670 You can make a reservation -pick up an hour before resv. time. |
St. Peter IN (rural Brookville area) |
I-74, St. Leon exit right (N) to SR 46, left (W) about 5 mi. to St. Peter's Rd. Turn right and follow signs about 3 miles |
Labor Day, beautiful country setting in a very rural area. |
Family style, $9.50 ('08). Lots of people, go early; reservations are indicated. Good chicken, home made slaw and desserts. Lunch stand with turtle soup. Hand-made quilts plus raffles & games. |
|
Monday Sept. 6, 2010
|
10:30-4:00 |
St. Anthony of Padua |
Morris IN |
I-74 to IN-101 exit, 101 south, west on
IN-46 for 4-5 miles |
Dressing with raisins, fresh- tasting
slaw, good chicken. |
Family style, $7.50 & $3.50
(01).
Fried chicken or roast beef, dressing, coleslaw, potatoes and gravy, green
beans and home-baked desserts. |
|
Sep. 12, 2010 always first weekend after Labor Day |
11 am - 3 pm Carry-out until 8 pm |
St Michael 765-647-5462 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. mass |
Brookville IN |
I-74 Brookville exit, US52 to Brookville 354 High St. |
(Great) home made noodles and desserts. Air Conditioned and handicap accessible. Arts & crafts, booths, bingo. Homemade quilts and baskets | Sunday Family style $10.00 (‘09) Pan fried chicken (sounds interesting, most church dinners serve deep fried chicken). Saturday, 4 – 8 p.m., smoked pork chop supper. |
|
Saturday Sept 11, 2010 always 2nd. Saturday in Sept. |
4:30-7:30 EDT |
Mace- donia Christian Church |
Okeana, OH |
I74 New Haven Rd. Exit, right
then left at Carolina Trace, right on New Bidd’nger (becomes
California Rd. at Butler Co.) |
It was interesting to have “supper”
served at the table twice (platters, bowls served and served again later). |
Family style, $8.00 (03), with chicken,
mashed potatoes-gravy, beans, slaw, desert and drink. |
|
Sept. 12, 2010 |
10:30 – 1:30 slow time |
St. John’s United Church of Christ
812- 623-3410 Worship 9:30 slow time |
Penntown – Sunman |
I-74 Sunman exit, 101 South, next street
past 4-way stop at 101 and 46 (1300 N) |
Also a dinner in early June |
Cafeteria style for chicken, vegetables
and potatoes, but other items are on the tables $8, $4 kids.. Garden items
come from church members. Home made bread and pies. |
|
Sept. 19, 2010 always 3rd. Sunday in Sept. |
10:30, 11:15, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 slow time |
St. Louis 812-934-3204 masses 6:30, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 slow time and 6 p.m. |
Batesville IN |
I-74 Batesville Exit, go straight into town |
Nice variety of food. AC |
$6.50, $3.00 under 12 ('01). Good memories, took our two boys here. Good slaw, tomatoes, desserts, other, served in large new building. There is a country store with baked goods and crafts plus raffles and booths, turtle soup too. |
|
Oct. 3, 2010 always 1st. Sunday in Oct. |
10- 3 slow time |
Holy Family masses at 8 and 10 a.m. slow time 812-934-3013 (Theresa Bedel) |
Oldenberg IN
|
I-74 W. to Batesville exit, 229 to church |
We never went here |
Cafeteria style, chicken or roast beef, some items on table. $7. $4 kids ('01) Early is least crowded. Handmade quilts games, turtle soup, home made noodles and dessert, friendly service, baked goods. Rolling hills, beautiful fall colors. |
|
Oct.
4, 2009 Always 1st. Sunday in October. (Added to the list Sept. 15, 2005) |
12 -
3 EST (Church dinner started in the year 2000)
|
St. Peter United Church of Christ
812-576-3143 |
Klemme's Corner IN (rural Brookville area) | I-74 St. Leon exit right (N) to St. Peters Rd., left 2.5 mi. to Highland Center Rd, turn right then 2.2 mi | Air conditioned, good access, share St. John-Dover frying team. 175 year old church. | Cafeteria style $8 & $4,75 (05), Fried chicken, slaw, potatoes and gravy, beans, desserts and some items on table. Quilts, bake and craft sale, hayrides plus kid's games and pie-eating contest. |
|
Friday
October
2, 2009 always last Friday in Sept. or? |
Evening, 5-10 p.m. |
St. Nicholas 812-623-2894 (Ken Hountz) | Sunman IN | I-74 Sunman exit, left, SR 101 South to Sunman, cross RR tracks, turn right and follow signs | Friendly people. | Mock turtle soup, plus fish, roast beef or grilled chicken sandwiches. |
|
Oct. 10, 2010 always 2nd. Sunday in Oct. |
10:30-5 EST |
St. Mary Of The Rock 812-934-4165 |
St Mary IN |
I-74 to exit 156 (Sunman-Milan), right for a short distance then left at Y in the road to St. Mary Rd., go about 5 miles to the church |
Good turkey and slaw |
Turkey, Cafeteria style $7 & $3 (01), slaw, desserts and more. Pretty setting, cemetery. Visit church to view the special millennium cross. |
|
Saturday Oct. 16, 2010 always third Saturday in October Added Oct. 2006 |
4-7 p.m. EST | 5 p.m. Mass |
St. Charles Catholic Church 812-654-2009 |
Milan IN |
I--74 to exit 156 (Sunman-Milan)to IN-101 W to
town, cross RR tracks, turn at Laundromat -- Behind Milan firehouse |
Country store, Raffle with home-sewn quilt,
afghans, $500 cash, two processed half-hogs Free pony rides for kids |
Cafeteria style, $8 and $4 (10), Roast pork, with potatoes, homegrown corn, sweet potatoes, green beans, homemade applesauce and desert |
|
Oct. 18, 2009 always third Sunday in October
Added |
11:30 - 2:30 |
St. Jacobs UCC 29959 Blue Creek Rd. 812-623-3410 |
St. Leon IN (rural Brookville area) |
I-74, St. Leon exit right (N) to SR 46,
left (W) about 5
mi. to St. Peter's Rd. Turn right, in 2 miles left on N. County Rd, then
left on Blue Creek
|
J. D. rates it high
I'll need to get more information |
Turkey dinner |
|
Nov 7, |
11-5 EST |
St. John The Baptist 812-576-4302 10
a.m. mass EDT |
Dover IN |
I-74, St. Leon
exit, 2 miles south on Rt. 1 |
Craft show in 12 room schoolhouse, Saturday (9-4) and Sunday. | Cafeteria style. $10 (’10) Pat Harper says they have the best home-made pies and cole slaw, 4 pieces of chicken. |
|
Saturday Nov. 14, 2009 always 2nd. Saturday in November 10-22-02 |
4:30-7:00 EST
|
St. Maurice 812-852-4394 (Arlene Gehl) Sat. mass 6 p.m. EST (2nd. & 4th. Saturdays) |
Napoleon IN Ripley County |
I-74 Batesville exit, south to cross IN-46,
State Rd. 229 (12.5 mi. fr I-74) OR I-74 New Point exit to County Rd. 850 to cross IN-46 for 7 mi. (becomes Cty. Rd. 350W) |
All-you-can-eat Smorgasbord, serve yourself
buffet style. We went and enjoyed it. Also held in early April. |
Buffet style, $8 & $3 (09) Turkey, dressing, roast beef, meat loaf, spaghetti, veggies, salads, home made desserts |
|
Saturday |
4:30-7:30 EST |
Mace- |
Okeana, OH |
I-74 New Haven exit, right
then left at Carolina Trace, right on New Bidd’nger (becomes
California Rd. at Butler Co.) |
Just added in September 2000. |
Turkey supper, $7 & $3.50 (01) |
|
Nov. 14, 2010 |
11:30 EST |
St. Aloysius |
Shandon OH |
SR 128, W. at Ross, about 5 miles |
All you can eat turkey |
Family style, $9 & $5 child ('07). Turkey and all the fixin's We liked it, was kind of special. |
|
Nov 18. 2007 Added |
1-5 EST |
St. Boniface (513) 541-1563 |
Cincinnati OH |
I-74W, exit Colerain, left on Kirby, right on Chase |
Turkey dinner
Games for kids (and adults) |
Cafeteria style, $8 & $6 (07)Turkey - also roast beef, dressing, potatoes, rolls, beans, corn, cranberry sauce, homemade desserts |
