ilkley's medieval parish church all saints', largely reconstructed in the victorian era, houses artefacts of the site's ancient christian heritage including three saxon crosses and today operates within the anglican communion. an expanding congregation in the 19th century triggered plans in 1873 for a second church which became st margaret's church, designed by richard norman shaw and completed in 1879. worship at the church is conducted in the anglo-catholic tradition and in 2005 was led by david hope, baron hope of thornes. when the archbishop of york resigned he became vicar at ilkley until his retirement in 2006.