George MacDonald - Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood

This delightful story begins in a little town called Marshmallows, where a young man, the new vicar, Harry Walton, has just arrived. As he begins his work Harry realizes that everything is not quite 'right' in his little parish and it all seems to center around Oldcastle Hall. As he wins the affection of the people secrets begin to unfold, and Harry Walton attempts to free them from guilt of the past, help them overcome pride and while he is at it, he falls in love with a woman whose past is the most mysterious yet, and whose tyrannical mother is the mistress of Oldcastle Hall.

This Is a wonderful, heartwarming romance and a unique mystery, told from the viewpoint of the young vicar. (Summary by Fiddlesticks )

The trilogy:
Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood
The Seaboard Parish
The Vicar's Daughter