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.

Tuesday, 8th September 2026 - Ordinary Time (Creationtide): The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary [Lesser Festival]; The Anniversary of the Accession of His Majesty King Charles III, 2022

The Collect of the Day:

O merciful God, hear the prayers of thy servants who commemorate the Nativity of the Mother of the Lord; and grant that by the incarnation of thy dear Son we may indeed be made nigh unto him; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.

Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer

A Collect for the King:

Almighty and everlasting God, we are taught by thy holy Word, that the hearts of kings are in thy rule and governance, and that thou dost dispose and turn them as it seemeth best to thy godly wisdom: we humbly beseech thee so to dispose and govern the heart of Charles thy Servant, our King and Governor, that, in all his thoughts, words, and works, he may ever seek thy honour and glory, and study to preserve thy people committed to his charge, in wealth, peace, and godliness: grant this, O merciful Father, for thy dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer 

A Gospel Acclamation for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

Alleluia, alleluia.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. (cf Luke 1:28,42) 

Alleluia.

Common Worship

The Gospel Reading Appointed for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel’,

which means, ‘God is with us.’

Matthew 1:18-23, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition 

We pray especially on this Feast Day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary for our friends from across the Benefice at St Mary's, Coxhoe and St Mary's, Shincliffe, as well as for all at St Mary's College, Durham University. 

A Post Communion Prayer for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

O God most high, whose handmaid bore the Word made flesh: we give thee thanks that in this sacrament of our redemption thou dost visit us with thy Holy Spirit and dost overshadow us with thy power; strengthen us to walk with Mary in the joyful path of obedience, that we may bring forth the fruits of holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Common Worship 

A Prayer for All who are Affected by the Flash Flood Disaster in Nepal and Tibet:

We are praying for all those affected by the devastating flash floods in Nepal and Tibet.

We pray for those who are grieving, and for those who are still waiting for news of their missing loved ones. We pray for the emergency workers in the region, operating in immensely difficult conditions to rescue people and bring relief. We also pray for those who are injured, and for the doctors and nurses working tirelessly to bring healing and rebuild lives. Into the hands of our loving God, and in the name of Jesus Christ, we place all those who watch, wait and weep.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Amen. 

Christ Episcopal Church, Columbia (Diocese of Maryland), USA

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