The Rev. James Nutter

Denomination: The Episcopal Church (TEC)
Organization: Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, Houston, TX

Jim Nutter is the fifth rector of Palmer Church, having accepted the position in December 1994, coming to Houston from St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Rockland, Maine.

Born in Minden, La., Jim lived in several locations while growing up, including Mexico, New Orleans, St. Louis, and Baltimore before settling in Maine where he attended Bates College in Lewiston and graduated with a B.A. in English. During a year abroad at Manchester College in Oxford, England, he discerned God's call on his life and subsequently entered Nashotah House Seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin, where he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree.

Following four years as an Assistant Priest at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Portland, Maine, Jim was called as rector of St. Peter's, Rockland in 1987. While in the Diocese of Maine, he chaired the Commission on Ministry (1988-1994) and was a member of the Standing Committee as well as the Bishop's Task Force on AIDS. At St. Peter's, Jim started a Soup Kitchen, began an AIDS ministry, and revitalized the children's program, among other things.

Since joining the Diocese of Texas, Jim has chaired the Evangelism Commission (1998-2001), served on the Executive Board of the Diocese, been a member of the Board of Directors of St. Luke's Episcopal Health System (1998-2007), and served as an Alternate Delegate to the 74th and 75th General Conventions of the national Episcopal Church. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Episcopal High School in Houston.

As rector, Jim focuses his energies on Palmer Church as a sanctuary for all of God's children with fully devoted and committed disciples of Jesus Christ. His passions are preaching (he received the prestigious John Hines Preaching Award in 2005 from the Virginia Theological Seminary) and teaching. Jim, with committed and talented parishioners, oversees the Stewardship and Evangelism ministries at Palmer.