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).
Friday, 29th May 2026 - Whitsuntide
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you.
Luke 10:1-6, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition
The Collect of the Day:
O Lord, from whom all good things do come: grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good and, by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; 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
A Prayer for all who are Affected by the Current Outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):
God of miraculous healing, whose Son displayed your power over sickness and death, we pray for all those who are sick or have died amid outbreaks of infectious disease, including Ebola, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and East Africa. As violence and displacement deepen suffering, help medical workers and public health systems to stem the outbreak and prevent further sickness and death. Protect all the vulnerable in Congo and the surrounding countries. May those who are fearful amid the pain of sickness and death look with hope toward restoration and release. Help us advocate for investment in global health systems that seek to prevent and coordinate response to health emergencies, especially the World Health Organization and other emergency response systems. Come, Lord Jesus, and bring an end to all suffering, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Public Witness Weekly Prayers, The Episcopal Church
A Prayer for all who are Living in Poverty or under Oppression:
Heavenly Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ came to bring good news to the poor,
to heal the broken-hearted, and to set free those who are oppressed:
give grace to the leaders of all the nations,
that, being so hungry for justice for your poorest people,
and fired with passion for their raising up,
they may be renewed in their determination to fulfil the promises they have made to them;
that the chains of hunger, disease and inequality may be broken;
and that all humanity may know life in all its fullness;
through him who came that we might have the same, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Anglican Communion
Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:
May 2026 - Gateshead and Gateshead West Deaneries
A Prayer of St Oswald of Northumbria:
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 King Oswald with his Army on the Battlefield on the Eve of the Battle of Heavenfield, AD634
St Oswald's, Durham Charity No. 1196296