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 11am, 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 6pm 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 10am on Wednesdays, and the church is usually open from 9:30am till round about 5pm (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.
Thursday, 15th January 2026 - Epiphany Season
John Cosin, Bishop of Durham, 1672
Today marks the anniversary of the death of John Cosin.
Cosin became prebendary of Durham Cathedral; rector of Brancepeth in 1626; Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge in 1634; and Vice Chancellor of the University and Dean of Peterborough in 1640. After the Restoration in 1660, he became Dean, then Bishop, of Durham, and in 1665, he rebuilt St Peter's Chapel as it stands today from the remains of the medieval great hall at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, where he was buried according to his will following his death in 1672. The Chapel has been in continuous use as a place of worship ever since.
Cosin also founded the Episcopal Library of the Bishop of Durham on Palace Green in 1669, one of the first public libraries in the North East of England. Cosin's Library as it is known today is still fully operational as part of Durham University Library, and reopened in 2022 following two years of extensive conservation work, both internally and externally.
A Passage from the Old Testament Reading Appointed for Morning Prayer for Today:
'Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you, “You shall not eat of it”, cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.’
Genesis 3:17-19, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition
The Collect of the Day:
Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Common Worship
Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire (Verse 1):
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
and lighten with celestial fire;
thou the anointing Spirit art,
who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart:
John Cosin 1594–1672 based on Veni, Creator Spiritus, Common Praise - A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern #178
A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Recent Unrest in Iran:
Heavenly Father, please give courage, protection and perseverance to our brothers and sisters in Iran. May this period of unrest be resolved in peace, justice and huge leaps in religious freedom. Give wise counsel to decision-makers and may the persecuted church in Iran show the true light of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Open Doors UK & Ireland
Durham Diocesan Deanery Monthly Prayer Intention - January 2026:
Easington Deanery
A Prayer for the Season of Epiphany:
Almighty and eternal God,
Brightness of faithful souls,
you brought the Gentiles to your light,
and made known to them him who is the true Light,
and the bright and morning Star.
Fill the world with your glory,
and show yourself by the radiance of your light to all nations;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayers through the Centuries: A Revision of Prayers of the Early Church and Prayers of the Middle Ages, Paul C Stratman (Originally Edited by James Manning Potts)
St Oswald's, Durham Charity No. 1196296
