Carter attended Worcester College, Oxford  (B.A. & M.A. 1871). He was ordained deacon in 1871, and  priest in 1872. He served as curate of Christ Church, Ealing, Middlesex (1871-1875); vicar choral of York Minster (1875);  rector of St. Martin, Micklegate, York (1877-1882); and vicar of St. Michael Belfry, York (1882).