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.

Saturday, 21st March 2026 - Lenten Season: The Lesser Festival of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, Reformation Martyr, 1556

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

Hebrews 11:1-3, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

The Collect of the Day:

Father of all mercies, who through the work of thy servant Thomas Cranmer didst renew the worship of thy Church and through his death didst reveal thy strength in human weakness: strengthen us by thy grace so to worship thee in spirit and in truth that we may come to the joys of thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Common Worship 

The Collect for the First Day of Lent Commonly Called Ash Wednesday:

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

Written by Thomas Cranmer for the Book of Common Prayer 1549 (Prayed Daily After the Collect of the Day During Lent)

A Prayer for Peace Throughout the World in Times of War:

Let There be Peace

O God, who dwells beyond all our names for you, we pray for the will to be at peace with one another.

We remember this day those who find themselves thrust into war; We pray for light in the darkness, and hope amid despair. We pray for peace in ourselves; help us to breathe in peace, help us to breathe out love; help us know and accept ourselves as your beloved. We pray for peace in our families; help us to speak the truth to one another in love; help us to respect and value one another. 

Let there be peace in our communities; help us to create a peace born of justice and equity; help us to honour and serve the common good.

Let there be peace in our nation; sustain our hope; grant us wisdom; empower us with courage.

Let there be peace in our world. Help us to love the earth as our mother; help us to see other nations as our neighbours; help us to wage peace.

Let there be peace, O God, for those in need; for those who are frightened, for those who have been displaced, for those who are ill, for those who need work. Let there be peace, O God, for all of us who are tempted to give in to fear and despair. 

Let there be peace in our time; And let it begin with us.

Amen. 

From a Litany for Peace by the Very Reverend Canon Kay Sylvester - Rector of St Paul’s Episcopal Church in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Monthly Deanery Intention - March 2026:

Lanchester Deanery

A Prayer for Lententide:

Hanging as a vine upon the Wood,
O Christ our Saviour,
Thou hast made the ends of the earth
to drink from the wine of incorruption.
Therefore do I cry aloud:
I am darkened always by the hateful drunkenness of sin;
Give me to drink from the sweet wine of true compunction,
and grant me now the strength, O Saviour,
to fast from sensual pleasures,
for Thou art good and lovest mankind.

Amen.

St Joseph of Thessalonica, The Lenten Triodion - The Eastern Orthodox Church 

The Prayer of St Oswald of Northumbria:

Let us together implore the living and true and almighty God in his mercy to defend us against the pride and fierceness of our enemy; for that God knows our cause is just, and that we fight for the salvation of our nation.

Amen.

Prayed by King Oswald with his Army on the Battlefield on the Eve of the Battle of Heavenfield, AD634