In Pomeroy Ohio, in the southwestern portion of the state, just off the river and not far from the West Virginia state line, a small community is still recovering from the loss of a treasured church destroyed by arson in August.

Hemlock Grove Church, dating back to the mid-1800s, has a connection to Niles.

Each year the congregation pulls together to donate a percentage of the money collected through the church to a specific project.

This year, through a member of the church, they heard about a college fund set up by a member’s family for two boys whose father had been battling cancer.

That family was Johnny and Pam Brawley and their two sons, Quinn and Jake.

Shortly after receiving a donation of $500 from the church, Johnny Brawley died following a 13-month battle with cancer.

Now his family is giving back in true Brawley fashion — with a fish fry to benefit Hemlock Grove Church.

“(It’s) just to raise some funds for this church, because that’s what Johnny would want us to do. To help them,” his mother, Ginger Brawley, said. “They certainly went out of their way to help him.

“Probably the best thing we could do is to raise as much money as we can,” she said.

The church had historical significance to the community of Pomeroy, Brawley said. Many of the items lost in the fire were more than 100 years old.

The fish fry will be held at the Niles Eagles near Riverfront Park.

All proceeds will go toward the church.

This will be the first fish fry for the family since losing one of their own.

“We miss him,” Ginger said. “(It’s) a big void.”

She added that hopes are holding for a high turnout.

The “Rebuild the Church” Brawley Fish Fry will be held Friday from noon to 7 p.m. Cost is a minimum donation of $7.