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 Sunday, 11th October 2026 at 11:00am for Sung Parish Eucharist (Common Worship) followed by tea, coffee and biscuits, and/or at 6:00pm for our first service of Choral Evensong (from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer) of the new academic year. This Sunday's Choral Evensong will be a Come & Sing service, to which all are invited.
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
Saturday, 10th October 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Feast of St Paulinus, Bishop of York, Missionary, 644; The Commemoration of Thomas Traherne, Poet, Spiritual Writer, 1674; World Homeless Day; World Mental Health Day
This is how the present life of man on Earth, King, appears to me in comparison with that time which is unknown to us. You are sitting feasting with your ealdormen and thegns in winter time. The fire is burning on the hearth in the middle of the hall and all inside is warm, while outside the wintry storms of rain and snow are raging - and a sparrow flies swiftly through the hall. It enters in at one door and quickly flies out through the other. For the few moments it is inside, the storm and wintry tempest cannot touch it, but after the briefest moment of calm, it flits from your sight, out of the wintry storm and into it again. So this life of man appears but for a moment. What follows or, indeed, what went before, we know not at all.Saint Paulinus of York
If this I did not every moment see,
And if my thoughts did stray
At any time, or idly play,
And fix on other objects, yet
This Apprehension set
In me
Was all my whole felicity.
The Apprehension, Thomas Traherne
The Collect of the Day:
O God, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; mercifully grant, that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; 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
The Gospel Reading Appointed for the Feast of St Paulinus of York (in Exciting Holiness):
The Commissioning of the Disciples
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’
Matthew 28:16-end, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition
A Prayer for World Homeless Day:
Lord Jesus,
We pray for those experiencing homelessness,
For those sleeping in doorways and parks, in hostels, B&Bs and on sofas,
For families facing eviction because of rising costs,
For those fleeing from fear, injustice and abuse.
Lord, strengthen staff and volunteers who support them
With grace, compassion and love.
May we all learn to love our neighbour
That all might find a home in you.
Amen.
Horsham Churches Together
A Prayer for World Mental Health Day:
Loving God,
We pray for those who are confronted by the sadness, ambiguity and confusion of mental illness,
and for those upon whom they depend for attention and compassionate care.
Look with mercy on all whose afflictions bring them weakness, distress, confusion or isolation.
Provide for them homes of dignity and peace,
give to them understanding helpers and the willingness to accept help.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Chelmsford Cathedral
A Prayer for Black History Month (October 2026):
Loving God,
You have created all things and by your will they have their being.
We rage at a system that teaches and treats black people as if they are not made in the image of God and created equal.
We seek redress for the years of torment and trauma of being othered.
We repent of a system that still demands black people justify their place in every space.
We pray for your liberating kingdom and kin-dom to come on earth as it is in heaven.
The light of the Lord has come, the glory of the Lord is rising.
Lord, shine and arise within us, as we rise, we rise.
Amen.
The Right Reverend Dr Rosemarie Mallett - Bishop of Croydon (Diocese of Southwark) in Rage & Hope: 75 Prayers for a Better World (Christian Aid), ed. Chine McDonald and Wendy Lloyd, SPCK Publishing, 2021
Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:
October 2026: Darlington 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)
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.