Some families have the tradition of coming together for a large meal at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Nancy Conro of Kingston and her family's tradition is to meet once a month for supper.

Conro and her family attend Kingston United Methodist Church’s monthly supper. Conro’s mother was one of the founders of the church fundraiser in 1970. Forty-five years later, Conro’s family is still involved. Her great-granddaughter Sienna Mueller, 4, even lends a hand setting the tables.

The church, 121 W. First St., will have a celebratory 45th anniversary supper on Saturday, Aug. 1. Serving times are 5 and 6:15 p.m. There is a $10 donation for adult meals and $5 for children. Carry-outs and gift certificates also are available. In addition to a different meat each month, meals include mashed potatoes, two vegetables, a salad, dessert, rolls and coffee, milk or water. The supper is held the first Saturday of the month. If the day is a holiday, the supper is held the second Sunday of the month.

“My mother and one other lady decided that our church just wasn’t going to make it without a fundraiser,” Conro said. “They decided on a supper, and we’ve held a church supper each month for 45 years. My mother kept notes on every single supper. For that first supper on Aug. 15, 1970, chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy were served. It just so happens that with the rotation of the menu, we will be serving chicken for this supper, too.”

According to Conro, the original church was built in 1855 on Pleasant Hill and Baseline Roads in Kingston. In 1876, the church was moved to its current location by horses pulling the building on rolling logs. The church was placed on a foundation with a basement, and within five to 10 years, a back addition was built.

“So much has happened here in our church basement, not just the suppers: Sunday school, church meetings and funeral luncheons,” said Jean Cornell, the supper’s head cook. “We even do non-denominational funerals for people with no families or no church affiliation. It’s part of our doctrine: open hearts, open minds and open doors. Food just brings people together.”

The money raised helps the church pay for utilities, maintenance and upkeep. Funds also support the church’s mission trips to the Appalachian Mountains and Kentucky in June and September.

Cornell grew up living across the street from the church and remembers playing on the church steps as a little girl.

“I grew up here, and there have been many changes – good changes – to the church since the church suppers,” Cornell said. “We have redone the sanctuary and the drywall. We have also remodeled the entire kitchen. The supper is what help keeps our little church going.”

Church funds pay for the supper’s meat each month, but all the other side dishes and desserts are donations from the congregation.

“A sheet is passed around in church, and we bring in something for the supper,” said Kayleen Anderson, a greeter for the suppers. “Usually we’re known for bringing in one dish. I bring in a coconut cream delight pie. Before volunteering for the church suppers, I never even made a pie before. Now it’s a favorite.”

All of the food at the supper is homemade, including the mashed potatoes and gravy.

“I think what makes the church suppers so special is that it’s all home-cooked, just like eating at home,” Cornell said. “They sit down and we bring the food to them. We have real silverware and dishes, not plastic and paper. We have tablecloths, and I make a new centerpiece for the table each month.”

As part of the church’s community outreach and mission work, any food that is left over from the supper is boxed and taken to local needy families. The church also has a free potluck lunch once a month and operates a warming center in the winter with the Kingston Friendship Center.

Conro said although the supper is all about food, to the congregation and community, it’s more than just a meal.

“It’s a good socializing get-together,” she said. “The suppers are about the community and fellowship. You get to meet people you probably would never meet anywhere else.”