James Sunter

James Sunter (4 September 1839 – 10 July 1909), commonly referred to as Canon Sunter, was rector of St Paul's Church, Adelaide, from 1890 to 1909. An obituary referred to him as "one of the best known and most highly respected clergymen in Adelaide". 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, Pulteney Street, Adelaide, by Bishop Kennion. St Paul's had a reputation as one of Adelaide's few "low" Anglican churches. One commentator branded St Paul's "High Church", though she may have referred to later practices.

He arrived in South Australia on RMS Ormuz with his family on 4 November 1890, succeeding Rev. J. W. Owen, resigned, and was inducted by 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. chief rival to Saint Peter's College. He was a believer in Bible reading in State schools, and regularly lobbied Parliament on the subject.

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.

His successor as rector of St Paul's Church was Rev. Edward Herbert Bleby.

Other interests Sunter was a proud Yorkshireman, and a founder of the Society of Yorkshiremen in South Australia, later termed "Yorkshire Society". He was elected club president at the inaugural general meeting, Bishop Kennion having refused nomination. He was still president in 1897, when the society played host to visiting cricketers.

He was a founder of the Lady Kintore Cottages, a charity for supporting widows and deserted wives.

He was a keen cyclist (on one occasion his participation delaying a wedding ceremony ), a vice-president of the League of SA Wheelmen 1897–1902.

Recognition One of the four houses of Pulteney Grammar School is named "Moore-Sunter", in recognition of his influence while head master of the college, coupled with that of William Samuel Moore.