One of the conceits of D&D is that clerics are warrior-priests. Partly because of tradition, but also for game balance issues (i.e., because D&D is about killing things and taking their stuff). Of course, the conceit doesn't necessarily make sense-- The priestesses serving a goddess of marriage and childbirth probably wouldn't have any combat training.
Any thoughts on what such a "temple-preist" class might look like? A sort of "divine wizard," perhaps?
The Unearthed Arcana has a variant cleric called the 'cloistered cleric' that is exactly what you're asking about. It has poor BAB, d6 for hit dice, 6+ skill points per level, and some scolarly type skills and spells added to their spell list. Should you not own Unearthed Arcana, the class is also available in many copies of the SRD because Unearthed Arcana is open content.
Unearthed Arcana aside, I would drop the armor and shield proficiencies, and remodel their weapon proficiencies based off the wizard. d4 or d6 HD, 4 skill per level (I don't see the need for six), and a poor BAB. If you plan on them being a PC class, leave them with full spell progression. If an NPC class, perhaps base it off the bard, or even the paladin, ranger, or possibly the adept. You could also allow a "themed" element to their spellcasting. I'm drawing this loosely from the Pathfinder sorcerer: you could have a selection of "devotions," such as holy, unholy, nature (i.e., terrestrial), seas, fire, etc. Each devotion would determine the significant portion of the characters available spell list, and perhaps some class features (i.e., turn/rebuke undead may only be available to priests with the holy/unholy devotions, respectively).
Of course, this assumes that you wish the common priest to be a spellcaster in a D&D world with a fairly typical level of magic. If you want a low magic world in which not every priest is a miracle-wielder, just as every scribe and scholar doesn't have to be a wizard, simply use the expert class.
One of the conceits of D&D is that clerics are warrior-priests. Partly because of tradition, but also for game balance issues (i.e., because D&D is about killing things and taking their stuff). Of course, the conceit doesn't necessarily make sense-- The priestesses serving a goddess of marriage and childbirth probably wouldn't have any combat training.
Any thoughts on what such a "temple-preist" class might look like? A sort of "divine wizard," perhaps?
Think of Friar Tuck. And you're right, clerics should not always be good at fighting. If they have a pacifist deity or something similar, just get rid of their Martial Weapon Proficiency and give them extra spells or Turn Undead.
You might also be interested in the Shugenja priest class from
Complete Divine.