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.

Friday, 7th August 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Feast of John Mason Neale, Priest and Hymn Writer, 1866 [Commemoration]

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, who didst send thy Holy Spirit to be the life and light of thy Church: open our hearts to the riches of thy grace, that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace; 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 Morning Prayer:

Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ 

Acts 2:38-39 , New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition 

A Hymn written by John Mason Neale:

Cattle Plague Hymn

(Originally written for the Fast Day for the Great Cattle Plague, 1866, and was first published in the Guardian newspaper)

ALL creation groans and travails; Thou, O God, shalt hear its groan; For of man and all creation Thou alike art Lord alone.

Cast Thine eye of love and mercy On the misery of the land; Say to the destroying Angel Tis enough: stay now thine hand."

In our homesteads, in our valleys, Through our pasture-lands give peace: Through the Goshen of Thine Israel Bid the grievous murrain cease,

But with deeper, tenderer pity, Call to mind, O Son of God, Those in Thine own image fashion'd: Ransom'd with Thy precious Blood:

Hear and grant the, supplications, Like a cloud of incense, borne Up toward Thy seat of Mercy, From Thy people's hearts forlorn:

So-while these her earnest accents Day by day Thy Church repeats,-That our sheep may bring forth thousands And ten thousands in our streets;

That our oxen, strong to labour, May not know nor fear decay: That there be no more complaining, And the plague have passed away.

And at last, to all Thy servants, When earth's troubles shall be o'er, Threefold Godhead, give a portion With Thyself for evermore. Amen.

John M. Neale; Church Hymnal 1877,  John W. Lovell, Rouses Point, New York, #453

A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Recent Earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan:

God of mercy and compassion,

We pray for the people of Japan following the devastating earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Hold close all who mourn the loss of loved ones. Bring healing to those who are injured and comfort to all who are frightened, displaced or waiting for news of family and friends.

Protect those who remain trapped or missing. Give strength, wisdom and endurance to rescue workers, medical teams and all who are providing emergency assistance.

We pray for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. May they receive shelter, food, clean water, medical care and the practical support they need.

Strengthen our sisters and brothers in the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, the Anglican Church of Japan, and all churches and communities offering comfort and care.

Amid grief and destruction, sustain the people of Japan with courage and hope, and guide them through the long work of recovery.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our refuge and our strength.

Amen.

The Anglican Communion 

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month: 

August 2026 - Auckland Deanery

A Prayer of St Oswald:

(Prayed by King Oswald of Northumbria and his army on the battlefield on the eve of the Battle of Heavenfield)

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. 

The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, the Venerable Bede