On Wednesday evening, the former Archbishop of York Dr David Hope will be formally installed as a parish priest at a service in Ilkey, West Yorkshire. A large curious congregation is expected to attend the service to meet him for the first time.

The service at St Margaret's Church will be attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire, Dr Ingrid Roscoe, and the Bishops of Hull, Whitby and Beverley. The Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David James, will preside over proceedings of the 90-minute-long licensing service.

Dr David Hope dramatically announced his resignation as the Church of England’s second most senior clergyman on 1st August 2004. He has been serving the Church at that post for nine years and honestly revealed his desire to return to what he has called the "real ministry" of parish practice.

Taking up a post as a parishioner in St Margaret’s Church would mean a pay cut of about £40,000 a year and giving up the splendour of the nine-acre Bishopthorpe Palace in York. The 64-year-old well-respected clergyman insisted he would not miss any of the luxuries of a bishop’s life.

Dr Hope, who will now be known as Father David, joked at his farewell service in York Minster in January that he was not expecting an easy life in his new role.

Dr Hope said to BBC News today, "I'm really looking forward to engaging with people and serving the community.

"There'll also be a lot to learn as I haven't been a parish priest for 20 years and the job has changed so much."

He had decided on St Margaret's in Ilkley because of the "traditional values" of the people in the town.

Hundreds are expected to pack the church on Sunday when he will give his first sermon.