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).Upcoming Services and Events:
Wednesday, 4th November 2026 - Oasis at 9:00am and Midweek Said Holy Communion (BCP) at 10:00am; Thursday, 5th November 2026 - Annual Community Bonfire in the Churchyard at 6:00pm (free admission)
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, Oasis and Midweek Holy Communion. Blankets are also available. We apologize for any inconvenience that this issue may cause.***
Tuesday, 3rd November 2026 - Ordinary Time; Remembrancetide: Richard Hooker, Priest, Anglican Apologist, Teacher of the Faith, 1600 [Lesser Festival]; St Martin de Porres, Friar, 1639 [Commemoration]
'The different ways in which God may do good to his church are more numerous than we can imagine, and we cannot presume to judge which is best until, having first seen what he has in fact done, we may know it to be the best. If we do otherwise, surely we go too far and forget our place.'
Richard Hooker, The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity in Modern English, Vol. 1
'Compassion, my dear brother, is preferable to cleanliness. Reflect that with a little soap, I can easily clean my bed covers but even with a torrent of tears, I would never wash from my soul, the stain, that my harshness towards the unfortunate would create.'
St Martin de Porres
(Reply of St Martin when one of the brethren confronted him as he took a sick and worn-out beggar to his cell for treatment)
The Collect of the Day:
O God of peace, the bond of all love, who in thy Son Jesus Christ hast made for all people thine inseparable dwelling place: give us grace that, after the example of thy servant Richard Hooker, we thy servants may ever rejoice in the true inheritance of thine adopted children and show forth thy praises now and for ever; 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 Epistle Appointed for the Eucharist on the Lesser Festival of Richard Hooker:
Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth,
2 Timothy 2:22–25, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition
The Post Communion:
God of truth, whose Wisdom set her table and invited us to eat the bread and drink the wine of the kingdom: help us to lay aside all foolishness and to live and walk in the way of insight, that we may come with Richard Hooker to the eternal feast of heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Common Worship
Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:
November 2026: Stockton Deanery
A Prayer for Renewal and Growth in our Benefice:
Almighty God, through whose servants the Blessed Virgin Mary, Oswald and Helena many heard and received the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ; grant to us the courage and the grace to follow their example, in declaring the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light. And so, by the work of your Holy Spirit, may many in our benefice come to faith, baptism and confirmation, and take their place among your people, worshipping, witnessing and serving, to the glory of your holy name; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Right Reverend Rick Simpson - Bishop of Durham, ad.
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)
Cover Photo Credit: Andy Jones
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.