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 Parish 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 can be found in the 'News' tab, and please ask if you'd like to join the mailing list. Here are the links to bell ringing and choir and concert information. 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). 

Upcoming Services and Events: 

Sunday, 15th November 2026 - The Second Sunday before Advent (The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity): Sung Parish Eucharist (Common Worship) at 11:00am, and Choral Evensong (BCP) at 6:00pm

All are very welcome.

***Please note that we are currently experiencing an issue with the heating system in church, so due to the severe cold conditions, both services on Sunday 15th November will take place in the Institute across the road. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.***

Sunday, 15th November 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Second Sunday before Advent (The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity)

The Collect of the Day:

O God, whose blessed Son was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life: grant us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves, even as he is pure, that when he shall appear again with power and great glory we may be made like unto him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Spirit, he liveth and reigneth, one God, now and for ever.

Amen. 

Common Worship

The First Reading Appointed for Today's Principal Service:

Be silent before the Lord God!
For the day of the Lord is at hand;
the Lord has prepared a sacrifice,
he has consecrated his guests.
At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
and I will punish the people
who rest complacently on their dregs,
those who say in their hearts,
‘The Lord will not do good,
nor will he do harm.’
Their wealth shall be plundered,
and their houses laid waste.
Though they build houses,
they shall not inhabit them;
though they plant vineyards,
they shall not drink wine from them.

The great day of the Lord is near,
near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter,
the warrior cries aloud there.
That day will be a day of wrath,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the lofty battlements.

I will bring such distress upon people
that they shall walk like the blind;
because they have sinned against the Lord,
their blood shall be poured out like dust,
and their flesh like dung.
Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to save them
on the day of the Lord’s wrath;
in the fire of his passion
the whole earth shall be consumed;
for a full, a terrible end
he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth. 

Zephaniah 1:7, 12–end, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition 

The Post Communion:

Gracious Lord, who in this holy sacrament dost give substance to our hope: bring us at the last to that fullness of life for which we long; through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen.

Common Worship 

A Prayer for Inter Faith Week, Sunday 8th–Sunday 15th November 2026:

Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith,

Help us Lord, this Inter Faith Week, to draw closer to people of all faiths,

Sharing the gifts you have given us,

Giving thanks for all that we receive through dialogue.

Help us to be people of reconciliation,

Building up our communities,

Putting the needs of others before our own.

Where there is discrimination, fear or hurt,

We pray for healing and repair,

Trusting in the one who for the sake of the joy set before him endured the cross

Taking his seat at the right of the throne of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The Right Reverend Jonathan Martin Gainsborough - Suffragan Bishop of Kingston (the Diocese of Southwark)

(The theme for this year's Inter Faith Week is 'Lighting the Way for a Shared Future', inspired by the symbolism of light found across many faiths and traditions.)

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

November 2026: Stockton Deanery

A Prayer of our Patron, 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. 

St Oswald of Northumbria

(This prayer was prayed by King Oswald and his army on the battlefield on the eve of the Battle of Heavenfield.)




































Get in touch

The Reverend Peter Kashouris

St Oswald's Vicarage
Church Street
Durham

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

Said Evensong with Hymns/Choral Evensong in the Institute

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

***Please note that we are currently experiencing an issue with the heating system in church, so due to the severe cold conditions, both services on Sunday 15th November will take place in the Institute across the road. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.***

A prayerful and reflective service from the Book of Common Prayer. Roughly every other Sunday in term time, a full choral evensong is held.

All are very welcome.

Sunday, 15th November 2026 - The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity

Choral Evensong

Officiant:
The Rector

Hymns:
Please see boards in church

Psalms:
Please see boards in church

Lessons:
1 Kings 1:15–40
Revelation 1:4–18

The Second Lesson Appointed for Today's Evening Prayer:

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

(Revelation 1:4–18, King James Version)

The Collect of the Day:

O Lord, we beseech thee, absolve thy people from their offences; that through thy bountiful goodness we may all be delivered from the bands of those sins, which by our frailty we have committed: Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour.

Amen.

***Please see the 'Sung Parish Eucharist' page for today's Durham Diocesan and Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intentions, as well as the Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the month.***

***Unless otherwise stated, all hymns are from Common Praise: A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (2000); *SP = Sing Praise: Hymns and Songs for Refreshing Worship (2010).***

Photo Credit: Karen Jones

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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