James Sunter BA, commonly referred to as Canon Sunter, was rector of St Paul's Church, Adelaide, from 1890 to 1909.
History
Sunter was born in Yorkshire and educated at St John's College, Hurstpierpoint. He was an apt and conscientious student, winning bursaries and exhibitions that helped pay his way through Durham University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1877. He was ordained deacon in 1871, and priest in 1872 by the Bishop of Durham. He was appointed curate, serving at Wallsend 1871–1873; Tynemouth 1873–1875; Holy Trinity, North Shields, 1875–1879 and acting chaplain of Wellesley training ship in 1875. He was appointed vicar of St Anthony's church, Newcastle-on-Tyne, serving 1879–1890 and as honorary canon of St Nicholas' Cathedral from 1887 to 1890, when he was offered the incumbency of St Paul's, Adelaide by Bishop Kennion. He arrived in South Australia by the RMS Ormuz with his family on 4 November 1890, succeeding Rev. J. W. Owen, resigned, and was inducted by Bishop Kennion on 9 November 1890. He found the church building in need of a great deal of attention, and with that well underway, had the pipe organ renovated at a cost of over £500. Extensive additions were made to the Sunday-school buildings, so that something like £2,000 was spent during his incumbency, all without increasing the church debt. Sunter's great ambition was completion of the church tower in time for the church Jubilee in 1910, the foundation stone having been laid by Sir Richard MacDonnell in 1860, but he did not live to see it completed. His death, after a few days' illness, was quite unexpected. He had reached the Biblical span of seventy years, quite unknown to most of his parishioners, who thought of him as a much younger man, carrying out his duties in a vigorous and conscientious way. He was a great believer in religious education, and had contributed greatly to the success of St Paul's school for girls and the Pulteney Street school for boys, for both of which he taught regularly. He was also a governor of St Peter's College and on the council of St Barnabas College. He also believed in Bible reading in State schools, and regularly lobbied Parliament on the subject. He actively promoted the welfare of young people by the formation of guilds and societies, which he was tireless in promoting. He acted as examining chaplain for Bishop Harmer from 1896 to 1905, and in the later part of his career was appointed chaplain to the Yatala Labor Prison. He was believed to have a positive influence on those prisoners with whom he came in contact, making visits there every Sunday and Thursday, and maintained contact with many after their discharge. He was a founder of the Lady Kintore Cottages, a charity for supporting widows and deserted wives. His eulogy was read by Bishop Nutter Thomas, who preached at St. Paul's Church from the text "Well done, good and faithful servant." He referred to Sunter's theological treatises, and to the literary outputs of his predecessors, Dean Russell, who died on 20 May 1886, and the Rev. John W. Owen BA, who was also an author.
Family
James Sunter married Miss Hepworth, of Bradford, in England. It is likely she died in England before he accepted the Adelaide position.
Isabel May Sunter married Louis Hugo Muecke on 4 April 1899. Louis was a son of Hugo Carl Emil Muecke, consul for Germany.
Robert Sunter of the Adelaide Steamship Company, champion boxer and governor of St Peter's College, was born in South Shields. The popular captain of the MV Manunda, he was first to "pipe" commentaries from the bridge to the dining room for the benefit of travellers.
George Herbert Sunter born at Newcastle-on-Tyne, was a buffalo hunter in the Northern Territory, and trepang fisherman. He was author of Adventures of a Trepang Fisher , died in Brisbane.
