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). 

***A very warm welcome to all new and returning Durham University students! Please do join us this Wednesday, 30th September 2026 at 10:00am for Said Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) followed by tea and coffee. We look forward to welcoming you in Church.***

God of peace, as young people and young adults begin higher education, university, or enter the world of work, may they know your presence with them in this time of change. Grant them courage, wisdom, and confidence and inspire those they encounter to have welcoming hearts.

Amen.

Diocese of Bath & Wells

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Romans 15:7, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

Wednesday, 30th September 2026 - Ordinary Time (Creationtide): The Feast of St Jerome, Translator of the Scriptures, Teacher of the Faith, 420 [Commemoration]

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, thou hast made us for thyself and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in thee: pour thy love into our hearts and draw us to thyself, and so bring us at the last to thy heavenly city where we shall see thee face to face; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Common Worship 

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

So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him during the night to Antipatris. The next day they let the horsemen go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. On reading the letter, he asked what province he belonged to, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, he said, ‘I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.’ Then he ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s headquarters.

Acts 23:31-35, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

A Prayer of St Jerome for Christ's Mercy:

O Lord, show thy mercy to me
and gladden my heart.
I am like the man
on the way to Jericho,
who was overtaken by robbers,
wounded and left for dead.
O Good Samaritan,
come to my aid.
I am like the sheep which went astray.
O Good Shepherd,
seek me out and bring me home,
in accord with thy will.
Let me dwell in thy house
all the days of my life
and praise thee,
forever and ever
with those who are there. 

Amen.

A Prayer for Single Friendly Church Week (Sunday 27th September - Sunday 4th October 2026):

Maker of us all, 

As you draw us into your love, may we love others in your name.

We pray that all churches would be places of welcome for single people, who seek community in an increasingly fragmented and isolated world. May we, as the Body of Christ, be your hands and feet, working together as one.

We pray for the work of Single Friendly Church Network and their vision for all single people to be valued in church. May we learn from single people and those who attend church alone about their experiences.

We give thanks for all the ways churches already create opportunities of invitation and belonging. May we, with the Holy Spirit, strive to help everyone flourish in our communities, whatever their relationship status.

We thank you for your grace, as we seek to be more like Christ.

Amen.

Single Friendly Church Network 

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)



































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

Sung Parish Eucharist

Occurring
Every Sunday at for 1 hour, 15 mins
Venue
St Oswald's, Durham
Address
Church Street Durham, DH1 3DQ, United Kingdom

The worshipping heart of parish life; a Common Worship service including Holy Communion, with refreshments afterwards in the Institute across the road.

All are very welcome.

Sunday, 4th October 2026 - Ordinary Time (Creationtide): The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity; Dedication Festival; The Last Day of Creationtide

Sung Parish Eucharist followed by Refreshments in the Institute

Officiant and Preacher:
The Reverend John McManners

Hymns:
Please see boards in Church

Psalms:
80:9-17

Readings:
Isaiah 5:1-7
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21:33-end

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us your gift of faith that, forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to that which is before, we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Gospel Reading:

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’

Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:

“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is amazing in our eyes”?

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

(Matthew 21:33-end, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Hospital Chaplains: Ms Joanne Nicholson and the Reverend Kevin Tromans (County Durham and
Darlington); The Reverend Canon Remi Omole (Sunderland); Vacant (Sherburn); The Reverend Gareth Rowlands and the Reverend Joan Urwin (Gateshead and North Tees & Hartlepool); The Reverend Pat Bealing and the Reverend Gordon Tough (South Tyneside); The Reverend Canon Colin Jay, the Reverend Debbie Baker and the Reverend Christine Britcliffe (Tees, Esk & Wear Valley)

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil: The Most Reverend Marinez Rosa Dos Santos Bassotto - Primate of Brazil and Bishop of Amazônia

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

October 2026: Darlington Deanery

The Post Communion:

We praise and thank you, O Christ, for this sacred feast: for here we receive you, here the memory of your passion is renewed, here our minds are filled with grace, and here a pledge of future glory is given, when we shall feast at that table where you reign with all your saints for ever.

Amen.

***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).***

St_ Oswald's The Calendar (1) (3).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