Embsay with Eastby has become an independent parish.

And on Sunday about 100 people attended morning service at St Mary’s Church to watch the Rev Louise Taylor-Kenyon inducted as vicar by the Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev Nick Baines.

Louise, 52, has been resident priest since October 2010 and becomes the first vicar at the church in 20 years.

“There hasn’t been a vicar at Embsay for over 20 years,” she said. “They’ve always had a priest in charge.

“There will be no change in what I do,” said Louise, who will work part-time as a vicar for the church and also retain her role as clergy training officer for the diocese.

Her induction as vicar is formal recognition of a change in status for the parish, which will allow it to look after itself and not be dependent on a larger parish. “I’m really pleased the parish of St Mary the Virgin, Embsay with Eastby, has been recognised as an independent parish,” she said. “This gives me and the parish a chance to create our vision so we can move forward together as a worshipping community.

“I look forward to serving the parish into the future.”