An appetite and an interest in fellowship are the only requirements to attend the Mattapoisett Congregational Church’s free monthly community dinners, which returned on Friday after a two-year hiatus.

Inspired by a similar dinner at a Wareham church, Dr. Drew Nahigyan started Open Table about five years ago. Like Christ’s table, the meal is “open to everybody,” Nahigyan said.

Open Table started off small.

“The first day we set up for a hundred and ten showed,” said Nahigyan. “The next time forty showed and then it was about sixty to seventy people on a monthly basis.”

After a few years at the helm, Nahigyan decided to take a break from Open Table, and now Paul Magee has resurrecting the meals.

“I always helped before. When it passed, I heard a lot of people in the church and the community say, ‘I miss Open Table,’” said Magee, a Mattapoisett resident and Rochester police chief. “Coming back on the board of deacons, I wanted to re-energize myself in to the church.”

When Magee proposed resuming Open Table, every pocket of the church community wanted to help, from youth to seniors.

“That was the clear indicator that it was missed,” he said.

On Friday, with Nahigyan at the stove, the group prepared a fresh salad, shepherd’s pie, warm garlic bread and banana pudding. Youth helped to serve guests.

“The byproduct is a great meal and community time together,” said Magee.

He stressed that the meals are not targeted at any group of people.

“It’s open to the public … anybody who would like to come for some good fellowship,” Magee said.

Members of the community are excited that Open Table has returned.

“We’re glad they’re back,” said Mary Ellen Bebo.

Bebo came with a group of friends from the nearby senior housing development Village Court.

Her friend Lillian Dartt said it was a good opportunity to spend time with friends.

“Fellowship, companionship and good coffee. It’s our big night out,” Dartt said.

Although they were previously on the first Friday of the month, the dinners will now be the second Friday of the month through April. Magee said, depending on the turnout, the church will most likely take a break through the summer and return in the fall.

Magee asked that people spread the word to friends of the new day, and he told them to bring their friends.

“We really want people to come and feel free to sit at any table. No reservations needed, no call ahead, we just serve whoever comes,“ he said.

The next Open Table is Friday, Feb. 13 at 5 p.m.