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 Parish 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 can be found in the 'News' tab, and please ask if you'd like to join the mailing list. Here are the links to bell ringing and choir and concert information. 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).Upcoming Services and Events:
Tuesday, 10th November 2026 - The Feast of St Leo the Great: Tea & Talk in the Institute at 2:00pm
Wednesday, 11th November 2026 - The Feast of St Martin of Tours; Armistice Day: Midweek Said Holy Communion at 10:00am
All are very welcome.
***Please note that we are currently experiencing an issue with our heating system in church, so please wrap up warmly when visiting us. Hot water bottles are available for use by those attending any of our services, or if you'd like to bring your own, we can fill them for you, either in the Institute before Parish Eucharist or in the vestry prior to Evensong and Midweek Holy Communion. Blankets are also available. We apologize for any inconvenience that this issue may cause.***
Monday, 9th November 2026 - Ordinary Time; Remembrancetide: Margery Kempe, Mystic, C1440 [Commemoration]
The Collect of the Day:
Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in thy beloved Son, the King of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Common Worship
Today's Reading:
Some Sayings of Jesus
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, “I repent”, you must forgive.’
The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.
Luke 17:1-6, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition
A Prayer of Margery Kempe:
Be to us at all times, O Lord, our joy, our bliss and our comfort. Be light in our darkness, strength in our temptations and refreshment in the desert. Penitent may we know your peace, faithful may we behold you in glory.
Amen.
Margery Kempe
A Prayer for Remembrancetide:
God of all consolation and mercy,
We give you thanks for all who have given their lives in past conflicts to preserve our nation’s life and to free the oppressed.
We pray for the nations ravaged by war, and especially for Ukraine; for Israel-Palestine; for Congo and for South Sudan.
We pray your blessing on the peacemakers and on all of our armed forces.
Together with all your saints, we long for the day when your kingdom comes, when nations will beat swords into ploughshares, and spears into pruning hooks, when there will be no need to learn war anymore,
Through Christ our Lord, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.
The Right Reverend Dr Steven Croft - Bishop Emeritus of Oxford (Diocese of Oxford)
A Prayer for Inter Faith Week, Sunday 8th - Sunday 15th November 2026:
Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith,
Help us Lord, this interfaith week, to draw closer to people of all faiths,
Sharing the gifts you have given us,
Giving thanks for all that we receive through dialogue.
Help us to be people of reconciliation,
Building up our communities,
Putting the needs of others before our own.
Where there is discrimination, fear or hurt,
We pray for healing and repair,
Trusting in the one who for the sake of the joy set before him endured the cross
Taking his seat at the right of the throne of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Right Reverend Jonathan Martin Gainsborough - Suffragan Bishop of Kingston (Diocese of Southwark)
(The theme for this year's Inter Faith Week is 'Lighting the Way for a Shared Future', inspired by the symbolism of light found across many faiths and traditions.)
Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:
November 2026: Stockton Deanery
A Prayer of our Patron, 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.
St Oswald of Northumbria
(Prayed by King Oswald 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.