 While connected with Oxford life he held the incumbency of the neighbouring church of Cowley, and near the close of his academic career, in 1801. he was nominated one of the preachers at Whitehall Chapel.The prebendal stall of Knaresborough-cum-Bickhill in York Cathedral was conferred on him in 1804, and he instituted to the vicarage of Sutton-in-the-Forest.Through the influential support of Cyril Jackson, Carey was appointed to the head-mastership of Westminster School in January 1803, staying until December 1814.