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 Parish 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.

Upcoming Services and Events: 

Tuesday, 10th November 2026 - The Feast of St Leo the Great: Tea & Talk in the Institute at 2:00pm

Wednesday, 11th November 2026 - The Feast of St Martin of Tours; Armistice Day: Midweek Said Holy Communion at 10:00am

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 and Midweek Holy Communion. Blankets are also available. We apologize for any inconvenience that this issue may cause.*** 

Tuesday, 10th November 2026 - Ordinary Time; Remembrancetide: The Feast of St Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher of the Faith, 461 [Lesser Festival]

'No one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the cross. No one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ.'

St Leo the Great

The Collect of the Day:

God our Father, who made your servant Leo strong in the defence of the faith: fill your Church with the spirit of truth that, guided by humility and governed by love, she may prevail against the powers of evil; 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

Today's Reading:

If the great Lord is willing, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; he will pour forth words of wisdom of his own and give thanks to the Lord in prayer. The Lord will direct his counsel and knowledge, as he meditates on his mysteries. He will show the wisdom of what he has learned, and will glory in the law of the Lord’s covenant. Many will praise his understanding; it will never be blotted out. His memory will not disappear, and his name will live through all generations. Nations will speak of his wisdom, and the congregation will proclaim his praise.

Ecclesiasticus 39:6-10, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition 

(The first reading appointed for the Eucharist on the Feast of St Leo the Great, Exciting Holiness)

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 your servant Leo to the eternal feast of heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Common Worship

A Prayer for Remembrancetide:

God of all consolation and mercy,

We give you thanks for all who have given their lives in past conflicts to preserve our nation’s life and to free the oppressed.

We pray for the nations ravaged by war, and especially for Ukraine; for Israel-Palestine; for Congo and for South Sudan.

We pray your blessing on the peacemakers and on all of our armed forces.

Together with all your saints, we long for the day when your kingdom comes, when nations will beat swords into ploughshares, and spears into pruning hooks, when there will be no need to learn war anymore,

Through Christ our Lord, the Prince of Peace.

Amen.

The Right Reverend Dr Steven Croft - Bishop Emeritus of Oxford (Diocese of Oxford)

A Prayer for Inter Faith Week, Sunday 8th - Sunday 15th November 2026:

Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith,

Help us Lord, this Inter Faith Week, to draw closer to people of all faiths,

Sharing the gifts you have given us,

Giving thanks for all that we receive through dialogue.

Help us to be people of reconciliation,

Building up our communities,

Putting the needs of others before our own.

Where there is discrimination, fear or hurt,

We pray for healing and repair,

Trusting in the one who for the sake of the joy set before him endured the cross

Taking his seat at the right of the throne of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The Right Reverend Jonathan Martin Gainsborough - Suffragan Bishop of Kingston (Diocese of Southwark)

(The theme for this year's Inter Faith Week is 'Lighting the Way for a Shared Future', inspired by the symbolism of light found across many faiths and traditions.)

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

November 2026: Stockton Deanery

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)