Charlie Carpenter delivered a powerful and spiritually enriching organ recital on the afternoon of Sunday, May 4, at Ancilla Domini Chapel in Plymouth, Indiana. Presented by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, the concert began at 4 p.m. and drew an audience eager to experience centuries‑old sacred traditions brought to life through musical mastery. Andrew Jennings, Director of Music and Liturgy for the Poor Handmaids, welcomed guests and emphasized the congregation’s commitment to making these performances free and accessible, ensuring everyone can share the gift of sacred music.
"We host several of these each year, " Jennings said. “Our pipe organ, Morgan, is just now two years old, so we’re still working on offering as many events as possible throughout the year. We keep them free and open to the public so that cost is never a barrier for anyone who wants to experience music like this in our chapel. It’s essential to us—and the Poor Handmaids—that we can share this gift with the community."
The program featured a diverse and thoughtfully curated selection that showcased Carpenter’s technical prowess and emotional depth. He began with Denis Bédard’s Variations sur ‘Christus Vincit’, followed by six more recitals, and finished with the uplifting Easter Postlude by Sister M. Florentine Zeiger, PHJC.
Carpenter’s performance of Bach and Buxtehude emphasized his deep understanding of Baroque form and texture, bringing clarity and energy to each phrase. His interpretation honored the spiritual weight of these works while breathing new life into their historic structures.
"My mom, dad, and I had to coordinate our schedules,” said Carpenter. “My mom works at a performing arts center during the week, and my dad is the parish administrator at our church—St Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lakeview. I’m a Misericordia’s Heart of Mercy resident, so we all had to find the right times to come here. We mostly came on Monday mornings to practice. Then my dad and I would head back to Chicago, and I’d get in a few more hours of organ practice at St. Peter’s. It’s taken a lot of dedication, but it’s been worth it."
Today’s recital was more than a performance—it celebrated faith, heritage, and musical excellence. Charlie Carpenter’s presence at the organ inspired and moved his audience, affirming his place as one of the most compelling young voices in the concert organ tradition.
"I want to sincerely thank the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and the wonderful people of Ancilla Domini,” said Carpenter. “I’m especially grateful to Andrew Jennings, Sister Bonnie Bellini, and my instructor, David Jones, for their generous and kind hospitality. It truly means a lot."
For more information on the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, please visit poorhandmaids.org.