Christmas services

Occurring
for 9 days, 1 hour
Venue
St Oswald's, Durham
Address
Church Street Durham, DH1 3DQ, United Kingdom

Sunday 17th December The Third Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

6pm Christmas Carol Service

Sunday 24th December The Fourth Sunday of Advent

2 Samuel 7:1-11,16, Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

4pm Nativity Service

9pm Christmas Night Mass Hebrews 1:1-12; John 1:1-14

Monday 25th December Christmas Day 11am Holy Communion
Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14

Sunday 31st December The First Sunday of Christmas
Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:15-21

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). 

Sunday, 12th July 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Sixth Sunday after Trinity

The Collect of the Day:

O God, who hast prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass our understanding: pour into our hearts such love toward thee that we, loving thee in all things and above all things, may obtain thy promises which exceed all that we can desire; 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 Principal Service:

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 

Romans 8:3-4, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

When evil darkens our world, give us light. When despair numbs our souls, give us hope. When we stumble and fall, lift us up. When doubts assail us, give us faith. When nothing seems sure, give us trust. When ideals fade, give us vision. When we lose our way, be our guide! That we may find serenity in your presence, and purpose in doing your will.

Amen.

John D Rayner

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

July 2026 - Wearmouth Deanery

A Prayer of St Oswald of Northumbria:

Let us kneel together, and pray the true, the ever living and almighty God to protect us in his mercy from the arrogant savagery of our enemies, for he knows that we fight in a just cause for the preservation of our nation.

Amen. 

Saints of the North 

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





















Get in touch

Revd. Peter Kashouris

St. Oswald's Vicarage,
Church Street

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

Christmas services

Occurring
for 9 days, 1 hour
Venue
St Oswald's, Durham
Address
Church Street Durham, DH1 3DQ, United Kingdom

Sunday 17th December The Third Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

6pm Christmas Carol Service

Sunday 24th December The Fourth Sunday of Advent

2 Samuel 7:1-11,16, Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

4pm Nativity Service

9pm Christmas Night Mass Hebrews 1:1-12; John 1:1-14

Monday 25th December Christmas Day 11am Holy Communion
Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14

Sunday 31st December The First Sunday of Christmas
Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:15-21

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