St Oswald's, Durham

We are a Church of England parish with a strong tradition of music in worship, where all are very welcome. As an ancient Church in the centre of Durham, St Oswald's is a reservoir of peace for all who enter it.

The Sunday Eucharist is at 11:00am, and we have a play and books corner by the font for any younger worshipper who feels a parent or carer would enjoy it there. Evensong is at 6:00pm on Sundays, either in the chancel, or roughly every other week during term time when the usual hymns expand to a full choral setting, in the body of the church. Midweek Holy Communion is at 10:00am on Wednesdays, and the church is usually open from 9:30am till round about 5:00pm (or dusk, if earlier) on weekdays.

The latest editions of the weekly news-sheet and music notes are in the 'News' tab, and please ask if you'd like to join the mailing list. Here are links to bell ringing and choir and concert info. We have a strong connection with St Oswald's Primary and Nursery School, and with our neighbouring parishes within The Benefice of the Three Saints—St Mary's (Shincliffe), St Mary's (Coxhoe) and St Helen's (Kelloe). 

Wednesday, 2nd September 2026 - Ordinary Time (Creationtide): The Feast of the Martyrs of Papua New Guinea, 1901 and 1942 [Commemoration]

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, who hast called thy Church to witness that thou wast in Christ reconciling the world to thyself: help us so to proclaim the good news of thy love that all who hear it may be drawn unto thee; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Common Worship 

Verses from the First Reading Appointed for Today's Morning Prayer:

King David sent this message to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, ‘Say to the elders of Judah, “Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his house? The talk of all Israel has come to the king. You are my kin, you are my bone and my flesh; why then should you be the last to bring back the king?” And say to Amasa, “Are you not my bone and my flesh? So may God do to me, and more, if you are not the commander of my army from now on, in place of Joab.” ’ Amasa swayed the hearts of all the people of Judah as one, and they sent word to the king, ‘Return, both you and all your servants.’ So the king came back to the Jordan; and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and to bring him over the Jordan.

2 Samuel 19:11-15, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

A Prayer for the New School Year:

Heavenly Father,

At the start of a new school year, we give you thanks for the work of all schools (and particularly St Oswald's Primary and Nursery School in our own parish).

We pray for all children starting at new schools, and for those returning. Help them to explore what they can achieve, and give them confidence to play their part in shaping our world.

We pray for all those who work in schools. Care for them as they care for our children.

We pray for all governors of schools. Grant them wisdom and sound judgement, and help them to keep children's well-being at the heart of everything they do.

We ask this in Jesus' name.

Amen. 

The Church of England

A Prayer for the Feast of the Martyrs of Papua New Guinea:

Almighty God, there is no greater love than to give our lives for your friends. Grant us and the people of Papua New Guinea the courage to make our own sacrifice. And may we, in the company of your Martyrs, gaze with joy upon the face of Christ. 

Amen.

Anglican Board of Mission 

A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Recent Incident at Big Church Festival in West Sussex:

Heavenly Father,

We bring before you the heartbreak at Big Church Festival.

We pray for the loved ones who are grieving. Surround them with your comfort and peace.

We pray for those who were injured, asking for your physical and emotional healing.

We lift up the emergency responders, volunteers, and all who witnessed what happened.

When words fail, your presence remains.

Draw near to this community today and in the days ahead.

Amen. 

Tearfund

We pray in particular at this time for the repose of the soul of Pastor Robert Guanco of Jesus Living Water Church in Eastbourne, East Sussex, who died in the recent incident at Big Church Festival, and for comfort and strength for his family, friends, loved ones and those whom he served in his ministry.

Rest eternal grant unto Robert, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory.

Amen. 

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

September 2026: Durham Dales Deanery

A Prayer of St Oswald of Northumbria:

Let us all kneel, and together beseech the true and living God Almighty in his mercy to defend us from the proud and cruel enemy; for he knows that we have undertaken a just war for the safety of our nation.

Amen. 

(Prayed by King Oswald of Northumbria and his army on the battlefield on the eve of the Battle of Heavenfield)

A Reading for Creationtide 2026 - Living Water:

Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes.

On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.’

Ezekiel 47:9, 12, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition 


































Get in touch

Revd. Peter Kashouris

St. Oswald's Vicarage,
Church Street

DH1 3DG
Vicarage
0191 374 1681
Parish Office
0191 383 0830
What's on

Midweek Said Holy Communion/Mattins

Occurring
Every Wednesday at for 45 mins
Venue
St Oswald's, Durham
Address
Church Street Durham, DH1 3DQ, United Kingdom

A prayerful, reflective service from the Book of Common Prayer, held in the chancel.

Tea, coffee and chat afterwards in the vestry.

All are very welcome.

Wednesday, 2nd September 2026

Midweek Said Holy Communion

Guest Officiant: The Reverend Dr Daniel Parkinson (Minor Canon and Succentor at Durham Cathedral)

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Verses from the Second Lesson Appointed for Today's Morning Prayer:

And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

(Acts 11:21-end, King James Version)

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Durham Dales Deanery Secretary - Ms Sue Fowler; Durham Dales Deanery Treasurer - Mr Peter Graham

Diocesan Safeguarding Management Group

Diocesan Licensed Lay Ministry: Warden - The Venerable Libby Wilkinson; Sub Wardens - Mr Stephen Holmes (Easington Deanery, Wearmouth Deanery and Chester-le-Street and Houghton Deanery), Canon Dr Jocelyn Bryan (Durham Dales Deanery and Auckland Deanery), Mrs Connie Robinson (Darlington Deanery, Stockton Deanery and Hartlepool Deanery), Mr Andrew Trigger (Durham Deanery and Lanchester Deanery), and Mrs Alison Blackburn (Gateshead Deanery, Gateshead West Deanery and Jarrow Deanery)

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

The Diocese of Bendigo (Anglican Church of Australia): Bishop of Bendigo - The Right Reverend Dr Matt Brain

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

September 2026: Durham Dales Deanery

The Post Communion:

O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy humble servants entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that all we, who are partakers of this holy Communion, may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction. And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.

Amen.

AAMIHFpxF3KXTRJsLd6jaBgPhj72_St_ Oswald's The Calendar (1) (1).docx

Upcoming services and parish news.

Safeguarding

The parish of St. Oswald's, Durham is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults.

Please click through to our safeguarding page for more information.

St. Oswald's safeguarding page

St Oswald's, Durham Charity No. 1196296