Archbishop of York Dr. David Hope, the Church of England's second-most senior clergyman, said Sunday he had resigned his post to become a parish priest.
Hope, who was archbishop for nine years, steps down in February to become vicar of St. Margaret's in the small town of Ilkey, northern England in March.
A replacement was not immediately announced.
"I'm very much looking forward to this new appointment," said Hope, 64, after a service at his new parish. "I have always hoped that it might be possible to conclude my ministry as I had begun it as a parish priest and this I believe to be the call of God."
Hope's announcement comes as the church continues to struggle through the debate over the place for gay clergy — an issue that has threatened to split the community.
The traditionalist Hope was often seen as a counterweight to his superior, the more liberal Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams.
Last month, Hope told the General Synod meeting that the church must not be "overwhelmed" by the debate on gay issues and should instead concentrate on the "mission" of the Anglican faith.
Hope was also noted for his outspokenness on a variety of issues.
Less than a year after the death of Princess Diana he said the country "must stop wallowing" in her death.
He has opposed the ordination of women and has warned that the Internet could limit human interaction.
In June, Hope and Williams sent a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair about abuses committed by coalition forces in Iraq.
Archbishops normally sit in the House of Lords when they retire or resign but Hope said he wanted to return to the "real ministry" of parish life.
Hope said the traditional values of St. Margaret's, which is known as a conservative parish, attracted him to the post.
"Clearly I sympathize with their background. I'm looking forward to it. It is clearly a change and a challenge."
Williams praised Hope's contribution as archbishop.
"David Hope has been one of God's great gifts to the church.In every post he has filled he has brought to bear a deep common sense, a complete unpompous attitude, a ready sympathy for all and an irrepressible deadpan humor," Williams said.
"I shall miss him more than I can easily say, as a colleague whose wise advice and constant support have made a huge difference to my own ministry."