A parish whose priest was stabbed to death 18 months ago will welcome a new vicar in a service on Thursday night.

The Rev Kevin Lake, 50, will be inducted as vicar of Aberdare St Fagans at St Fagans Church, Trecynon, by the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan. It will be the start of a new chapter for the parish which is still recovering from the death of its former vicar, Father Paul Bennett, who was killed in the grounds of the vicarage in March 2007.

A former fireman, Rev Kevin Lake grew up in Aberdare and worked there, and at neighbouring Merthyr Tydfil, with Mid Glamorgan Fire Service for 18 years. After he retired, he trained for the ministry and was ordained as a priest in 2000. He served as a chaplain at the Holme Tower Marie Curie Hospice in Penarth for two years before being appointed priest-in-charge of the parish of Llandyfodwg and Cwmogwr in the Vale of Glamorgan, where he ministered until his appointment to St Fagans.

During the service, which starts at 7.30pm, Mr Lake will be inducted and licensed to serve in the parish by the Archbishop and will be installed by the Archdeacon of Morgannwg, the Ven Christopher Smith. Members of the congregations of the three churches in the parish - St Fagans, St Luke's, Cwmdare, and St James, Llwydcoed - will also be there to welcome him. The Archbishop will preach the sermon.

Mr Lake paid tribute to his predecessor, Father Paul, and said he hoped he would have the support of the whole community in continuing the work Father Paul had done.

He said, "This is a ministry I felt called to following Father Paul's death. The church was devastated and it is still in shock, is still grieving and there is a great deal of healing to be done. Father Paul's ministry will always be remembered and it is a tribute to his work and the great faith of his congregations that the church has not weakened at this time.

"They have shown great resolve in their adversity and done remarkably well to keep the services going, with help from the ministry of local clergy. They have held together in the unity of Christ and there is a very special atmosphere here.

"I know there will be challenges ahead for me but I am looking forward to a ministry that will be prayerful, loving and fruitful and one which will be shared by those around me as we move on together."

Dr Barry Morgan said he was confident Mr Lake would earn the trust and support of the parish.

"This was a difficult appointment to make because of the tragic circumstances but I am pleased to be able to induct a person whom I know will be able to continue the good work done by Father Paul and lead the parish forward," he said.

"I know how much the community appreciated the ministry of Father Paul and I hope now they will give thanks too for Kevin Lake because he wanted to come here. I know that in his ministry they will experience the healing and forgiving touch of God."

Rev Kevin Lake will conduct his first service at St Fagans this Sunday at 10am when the congregations of the three churches in the parish will join together for worship.