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.
Tuesday, 13th January 2026 - Epiphany Season: The Lesser Festival of St Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, Teacher of the Faith, 367; The Commemoration of St Kentigern (St Mungo), Missionary Bishop in Strathclyde and Cumbria, 603; The Commemoration of George Fox, Founder of the Society of Friends (the Quakers), 1691
Jesus answered them, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea”, it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.’
Matthew 21:21-22, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition
The Collect of the Day:
Everlasting God, whose servant Hilary steadfastly confessed your Son Jesus Christ to be both human and divine: grant us his gentle courtesy to bring to all the message of redemption in the incarnate Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Common Worship
The Prayer of St Mungo and the Original Motto of Glasgow:
Lord, let Glasgow flourish through the preaching of thy word and the praising thy name.
St Mungo
A Prayer by George Fox, 1658:
Be still and cool in thy own mind and spirit from thy own thoughts, and then thou wilt feel the principle of God to turn thy mind to the Lord God, whereby thou wilt receive his strength and power from whence life comes, to allay all tempests, against blusterings and storms. That is it which moulds up into patience, into innocency, into soberness, into stillness, into stayedness, into quietness, up to God, with his power.
2:18, Quaker Faith & Practice - Fifth Edition
A Prayer for the Peace of the World:
Almighty God,
from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed:
kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace
and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom
those who take counsel for the nations of the earth
that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward,
till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;
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.
The Church of England, Worship Texts and Resources
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
