Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feed set for next week

The Christ Episcopal Church in Sidney will hold its annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feed on Tuesday.

The all-you-can-eat pancake feed has been held for decades and always takes place the day preceding Ash Wednesday.

Rev. Tar Drazdowski said the tradition of Shrove Tuesday extends back to the Middle Ages. "Shrove" takes its name from "shriving" – the act of confessing in preparation of Lent.

Historically, churchgoers were prohibited from consuming meat, eggs and milk products during Lent, and Shrove Tuesday provided an opportunity to use up the food items not eaten during the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.

The Sidney Christ Episcopal Church has been celebrating Shrove Tuesday for at least half a century, Beth Fiegenschuh said.

The pancakes are made with a special recipe, she explained.

"We can't divulge the secret," she said, laughing.

In addition to pancakes, ham and eggs along with coffee, tea and milk will be served on Tuesday evening. The event is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. at the Christ Episcopal Church Parish Hall, located at 10th and Linden streets in Sidney. The meal costs $6 for adults, $3 for children aged 5-12 years old and is free for children aged 5 years old and younger.

The entire community is invited to share in the meal, Drazdowski said.

"It gives us a chance to bring the community together, and people that don't normally attend our church can sit down with their friends and share a meal," she said. "It's a great time all around. And it helps us because we use it as a fundraiser."

A portion of the funds will be donated to a local charity and the rest will help with the church's recent stained glass window restoration project.

The church building was constructed in 1886 and was initially attached to Fort Sidney. Because of its architectural and cultural heritage, it is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Stained glass windows that are encased in the building were repaired earlier this winter.

"We were in a situation where we were about to lose our windows," Drazdowski said.

Fiegenschuh said they've now be restored.

"They're just beautiful," she said. "They're bright and clear."

A $5,000 grant from the Historic Preservation Board covered about a third of the repair costs, and the church is working to make up the remaining funds. The grant was a tremendous boost to the fundraising efforts, Drazdowski said.

Tuesday's pancake feed will help with the ongoing efforts while offering community members and opportunity to continue in a long-lasting tradition, she added.

What: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feed

WHEN: 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9

WHERE: Sidney Christ Episcopal Church Parish Hall

COST: $6 for adults, $3 for children aged 5-12, free for children under 5

WHY: To mark the day before the beginning of Lent, and to help fundraiser for a stained glass window restoration project