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MIFFLIN -- Conrad Fisher created Ragamuffin Hall to give folks a sanctuary where they could leave their cares and concerns at the door, at least for a few hours.
Fisher, a local singer-songwriter, purchased the old McCoysville Presbyterian Church about a year ago. He has transformed it into a concert hall and recording studio.
On Saturday, the venerable building hosted its fourth Community Hymn Sing where Fisher led a congregation of 80 in song. He treated the event more like a worship service than a traditional concert, even reading a couple verses of scripture.
"It's not a show, it's about singing together," Fisher said. "There's something very powerful when human voices are singing together. They're not singing at you; they're singing with you."
For Fisher, it was also a night where people came together and put aside their differences - in religion, politics or perspectives. "It felt so wholesome, and that's the thing I like about it," he explained. "There were so many different denominations in the same building, worshiping and doing the same thing. It's fun when everyone can sing, put those things aside and be a community."
It's a powerful statement for a community as well when its members can put those differences aside and join together harmoniously - even if it's just in song.
Fisher stood on stage - with only his guitar and microphone. He did not have his band. Josh Imes, of Milford Township, who was elected as a magisterial district judge on Election Day, was his only backup, playing the banjo and mandolin.
"I lead with my guitar," Fisher said. "Sometimes, I just stop playing. Josh backed me up. I was playing my guitar, but this was not like a show."
Fisher said the upcoming Save Thanksgiving: A Benefit Concert has been canceled by event organizers, so Saturday was also an opportunity for the community to donate to the Juniata County Food Pantry in Mifflintown.
"People really gave a lot," he added. "I feel lucky when anybody comes to anything. It takes a lot of effort to put an event like this together."
The event was very therapeutic for Fisher.
"I got to stand in front of these voices, who are singing with me, I just love it," he said. "I'm not a preacher, there's not a formality or run with structure where there's a pattern or form to it. It's just fun."
More importantly Fisher had one goal for those in attendance.
"I pray they feel better when they leave than when they came," he added.