Bethany Chapel Community Church’s turkey suppers attract people from Bedford, Nashua and surrounding towns, just to enjoy the meal.

Judging by the diners lined up out the door, this is not exactly a well-kept secret. Fresh hot turkey, home-made mashed potatoes and squash, buttered carrots, cranberry sauce, gravy, rolls and pie, lots of pie, are served family-style at long tables on fine china with real silverware.

The Chapel would never consider using plastic utensils, and that’s one of the details that the guests appreciate. Dinner feels like a family experience.

“The price is right and we prefer the family-style serving of home-made food,” said Connie Schofield. “We go to all the church suppers because we appreciate the joy of sitting down and socializing with people we’ve never met.”

Church Deacon Dottie Morgrage flies back and forth, helping in the kitchen, then serving in the dining room.

“It’s a lot of hard work, but boy, it’s rewarding,” she said.

Waitress Marissa Smith squeezes between the tables to the kitchen, toting hot bowls of food, removing plates, pouring coffee, fetching water, making everyone comfortable, and her smile never fades.

This is hard work, the room is full, the tables are crowded and there’s very little room for movement. The teens who make up the wait staff are a cheerful bunch, and don’t seem to mind the tight quarters or the frantic pace.

Marissa’s mother, Kristin Smith, has a pitcher in each hand, ready to serve diners. “A lot of planning goes into this, and to see all these people here is heartwarming,” Kristin Smith said.

Church suppers are a New England staple, and everyone in the dining room is a regular. Many guests don’t worship at Bethany Chapel, but agree with Delfina Berry.

“We’ve been coming here about seven years. We always enjoy these dinners,” Berry said.

Tickets for the suppers are $8 for adults, all-you-caneat with coffee, tea, juice or ice water, and your choice of apple, blueberry, pumpkin, chocolate or lemon meringue pie.

Bethany Chapel Community Church will host a breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 11, and a roast beef dinner on Saturday, Nov. 1. For more information, call 645-6399.