Our Clergy and Staff

The church office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. On Friday during the summer, the office is open 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
​If you have a question and are not sure which of our staff members to ask, please call the church office at 317-846-8716.  

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The Rev. Dr. Stephen Applegate, Interim Rector
317-846-8716, ext 12  |  sapplegate@stchriscarmel.org
Listen to sermons by Father Applegate

​Father Stephen began his ministry as Interim Rector of St. Christopher’s on October 1, 2017 and will serve in that capacity for the next 18 to 24 months as the parish prepares to call a new rector.  He can frequently be seen with his black Labrador retriever, Bernie.

Prior to coming to St. Christopher’s, he was Rector of St. Luke’s Church in Granville, Ohio for fourteen years, helping that congregation grow in countless ways.  In a long and varied ministry he has served as President of the Trustees of the Diocese of Southern Ohio, as President of the Standing Committee, and as Episcopal Chaplain at Denison University.

In addition to his specialized role as Interim Rector, Father Stephen is responsible for all the typical duties of a parish rector: worship, preaching, pastoral care, and leading the staff.  

Ordained in 1980, Father Applegate received his undergraduate degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, the Master of Divinity degree cum laude from The General Theological Seminary in New York City, and the Doctor of Ministry degree in Congregational Development from Church Divinity School of the Pacific, one of the founding members of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California.  He has specialized training through the Interim Ministry Network and is a member of that organization.   

In addition to prior experiences in the church as interim rector, college chaplain, and cathedral canon, Father Stephen has worked as president of a private foundation, and in the for-profit world, as a human resource consultant to Fortune 500 companies.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Father Stephen is married to Terry, a first-grade teacher.  He runs a few miles every week for exercise, plays guitar and harmonica for fun, and takes great pride in his family which includes six adult children (two of whom married into the family) and four grandchildren.

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The Rev. Dr. Lawrence "Larry" Walters, Interim Associate Rector
317-846-8716, ext 11 | lwalters1948@gmail.com

Father Larry has served parishes in Texas, Missouri, and Michigan. He retired from full-time ministry as the rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Jackson, Michigan. after fourteen years in 2014.  Since "retirement," he has  enjoyed doing both long-term and short-term ministry in several parishes. He graduated from Boise State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music. He received a Master of Divinity degree from the School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, and a Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. 

In his role as Interim Associate Rector, Father Larry will share in the responsibilities for worship, preaching, and pastoral care. He will have responsibility for evangelism.

Father Larry and his wife Teresa moved to Fishers in 2015 and have enjoyed becoming "Hoosierized." They have been married for 45 years. Their son Michael, his wife Sarah, and their daughter live in Jackson, Michigan.
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Born  in Kansas, Father Larry is proud to be a Jayhawk (especially during basketball season). 

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Jenna Parker, Youth Leader 
317-846-8716  |  jparker@stchriscarmel.org

Jenna joined the staff in May of 2018.  She has overall responsibility for the Sunday Youth Formation program and St. Christopher’s Youth Group, as well as supporting St. Christopher’s connections with the diocesan youth program and Waycross Camp.  

Jenna is passionate about the formation of young people, particularly in the Episcopal Church.  She served on the Youth Ministry Development Team for the Diocese of Iowa for several years.  She most recently served as the Director of Children and Family Ministries at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church in Marietta, GA.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Drama and Theatre for Youth from the University of Northern Iowa as well as a Certificate in Youth and Children’s Ministry from Forma, the Network for Christian Formation for the Episcopal Church. 

​Beyond the participation in the Episcopal Church and theatre, Jenna's favorite activities are spending time outside, listening to podcasts, and exploring new places with her husband, Regan.

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Robert Richter, Director of Music & Organist
317-846-8716, ext 15 | rrichter@stchriscarmel.org

Robert is in his sixth year of music ministry and leadership at St. Christopher's. He previously served as Assistant Organist and Choir Director for two years at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in Indianapolis. 

A native of Illinois, Robert graduated from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music with a degree in Organ Performance. He received his Master of Music, also in Organ Performance, from Arizona State University in 2006.

After earning his Master of Music degree, Robert served for two years as the Organ Scholar at Christ Episcopal Church in Bronxville, New York. From 2008 to 2010 he served as Organ Fellow (Assistant Organist) at the Episcopal Cathedral of All Saints in Albany, New York. Robert also served as a visiting instructor in organ at Anderson University.  
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In his spare time Robert enjoys running, biking, and cooking.

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Cathy Scott, Coordinator, Children's Ministries
317-846-8716 | cscott@stchriscarmel.org

Cathy has worked with children’s formation programs for many years, beginning at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in West Des Moines, Iowa, where she progressed from Nursery Volunteer Coordinator to Sunday school teacher and Sunday School Coordinator. 

After moving to Carmel, she worked at Mohawk Trails Elementary as a First Grade teaching assistant and First Grade Christian Formation class teacher at St. Christopher’s. 

Cathy holds Certificates in both Human Development and Learning and Early Childhood Program Administration which she recently earned through the process of completing a Master of Arts in Education through Ball State University.  Additionally, she is a certified Godly Play teacher.
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Favorite activities outside of work include cooking, sewing, reading, and an assortment of arts and crafts.

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Anita Walker, Parish Administrator
317-846-8716, ext 11 | awalker@stchriscarmel.org

Anita joined the staff in May 2017. As Parish Administrator, she supports staff, volunteers, and parishioners to fulfill the mission of St. Christopher’s. She manages the parish calendar which involves scheduling events, and managing facility use. She handles external requests for use of the facilities. She maintains the parishioner contact information and lists. She also has oversight of contractors and vendors providing services to St. Christopher’s.
 
Anita brings 20 years of business experience in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, not-for-profit organizations, insurance, and transportation. She enjoys working in a mufti-functional team environment and helping people solve problems. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems from Indiana Wesleyan. 

​She and her husband Eric live in Noblesville. A lover of music, Anita enjoys singing. She has written and recorded music. When she’s not singing, she’s reading or editing photos.

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Cindy Short, Treasury Assistant
317-846-8716, ext 16 | cshort@stchriscarmel.org

Cindy is in her fifth year with St. Christopher's. She came to us with 14 years of accounting experience. She has an Associates in Accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, Indiana.

Cindy and her husband have two children. She is an avid reader.