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.

Monday, 23rd February 2026 - Lenten Season: The Lesser Festival of St Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, C155 

But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:25-29, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition 

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, who gave to your servant Polycarp boldness to confess the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world and courage to die for his faith: grant that we also may be ready to give an answer for the faith that is in us and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. 

Amen. 

Common Worship 

A Prayer for Those Called to be Our Leaders:

***We pray especially at this time for the newly appointed Bishop of Durham, the Venerable Rick Simpson, and send him our congratulations and best wishes.***

Gracious and everliving God, we pray for those who are called to be leaders of your people. Grant them wisdom, patience and peace that they may serve in the depth and capacity of their calling. Grant the blessings of courage and humility to all in our communities, that we can walk in unity and serve in greater capacities to build up and enable others. 

Amen.

Adapted from the Anglican Journal; Original Prayer written by the Most Reverend Chris Harper, National Indigenous Archbishop and Presiding Elder of Sacred Circle in the Anglican Church of Canada

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Monthly Deanery Intention:

February 2026 - Hartlepool Deanery

A Prayer for Lententide:

Stretching out thy divine hands upon the cross, thou hast joined together that which before was divided, and by thy mediation thou hast offered as a gift to the Father the nature of mortal man, that was under condemnation. Therefore we sing the praises of thy sinless crucifixion.

Amen.

St Joseph the Studite

The Prayer of St Oswald:

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 Oswald with his Army on the Eve of the Battle of Heavenfield, AD634