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, 1st May 2026 - Easter Season: The Feast of St Philip the Apostle and St James the Apostle
Alleluia, Alleluia!
We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Alleluia!
Romans 6:9-11, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition
Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
John 14:8-14, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition
The Collect of the Day:
O almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth and the life; that, following the steps of thy holy apostles, Saint Philip and Saint James, we may steadfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life; 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 Poem for the Feast of St Philip and St James:
Now the winds are all composure,
But the breath upon the bloom,
Blowing sweet o'er each inclosure,
Grateful off'rings of perfume.
Tansy, calaminth and daisies,
On the river's margin thrive;
And accompany the mazes
Of the stream that leaps alive.
Muse, accordant to the season,
Give the numbers life and air;
When the sounds and objects reason
In behalf of praise and pray'r.
All the scenes of nature quicken,
By the genial spirit fann'd;
And the painted beauties thicken
Colour'd by the master's hand.
Earth her vigour repossessing
As the blasts are held in ward;
Blessing heap'd and press'd on blessing,
Yield the measure of the Lord.
Beeches, without order seemly,
Shade the flow'rs of annual birth,
And the lily smiles supremely
Mention'd by the Lord on earth.
Cowslips seize upon the fallow,
And the cardamine in white,
Where the corn-flow'rs join the mallow,
Joy and health, and thrift unite.
Study sits beneath her arbour,
By the bason's glossy side;
While the boat from out its harbour
Exercise and pleasure guide.
Pray'r and praise be mine employment,
Without grudging or regret;
Lasting life, and long enjoyment,
Are not here, and are not yet.
Hark! aloud, the black-bird whistles,
With surrounding fragrance blest,
And the goldfinch in the thistles
Makes provision for her nest.
Ev'n the hornet hives his honey,
Bluecap builds his stately dome,
And the rocks supply the coney
With a fortress and an home.
But the servants of their Saviour,
Which with gospel peace are shod,
Have no bed but what the paviour
Makes them in the porch of God.
O thou house that hold'st the charter
Of salvation from on high,
Fraught with prophet, saint, and martyr,
Born to weep, to starve and die!
Great today thy song and rapture
In the choir of Christ and WREN
When two prizes were the capture
Of the hand that fish'd for men.
To the man of quick compliance
Jesus call'd, and Philip came;
And began to make alliance
For his master's cause and name.
James, of title most illustrious,
Brother of the Lord, allow'd;
In the vineyard how industrious,
Nor by years nor hardship bow'd!
Each accepted in his trial,
One the CHEERFUL one the JUST;
Both of love and self-denial,
Both of everlasting trust.
Living they dispens'd salvation,
Heav'n endow'd with grace and pow'r;
And they dy'd in imitation
Of their Saviour's final hour,
Who, for cruel traitors pleading,
Triumph'd in his parting breath;
O'er all miracles preceding
His inestimable death.Christopher Smart
A Prayer for Good Shepherd Sunday:
Good Shepherd of the sheep by whom we the lost are sought and guided into the fold; feed us and we shall be satisfied, heal us and we shall be whole. In this ongoing season of walking within the shadow of levels and bubbles, thank you that you walk with us giving strength and peace. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray.
Amen.
Northwest Anglican - Church of the Good Shepherd, Massey, Auckland, NZ (Part of the Diocese of Auckland in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia)
A Prayer for Those in Fear of Death, that They may Find Faith Through the Resurrection:
Jesus, Lord, don't let the fear of death overpower us.
And don't let the loss of our loved ones
cause us to doubt your power to "Easter" everybody.
Remind us, Lord,
that you have the last words over death.
You are risen!
You are not "among the dead".
Neither are we.
We shall live forever in your triumphant love.
Amen.
The Missionary Society of St Columban, US
Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:
May 2026 - Gateshead and Gateshead West Deaneries
The 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
