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:
Sunday, 8th November 2026 - Remembrance Sunday (The Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity): Sung Parish Eucharist with Act of Remembrance at 10:50am, and Said Evensong with Hymns at 6:00pm
Tuesday, 10th November 2026 - Tea & Talk in the Institute at 2:00pm
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.***
Saturday, 7th November 2026 - Ordinary Time; Remembrancetide: The Feast of St Willibrord of York, Bishop, Apostle of Frisia, 739 [Lesser Festival]
The Collect of the Day:
O God the Saviour of all, who didst send thy bishop Willibrord from this land to proclaim the gospel to many peoples and confirm them in their faith: strengthen us, we beseech thee, to witness to thy steadfast love by word and deed so that thy Church may increase and grow strong in holiness; 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 Reading for the Feast of St Willibrord of York:
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’
Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the Lord has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God.
Isaiah 52:7-10, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition
The Post Communion:
Holy Father, who didst gather us around the table of thy Son that we, with all thy household, might partake of this holy food: in that new world wherein the fullness of thy peace is revealed, gather people of every race and tongue to share with thy servant Willibrord and all thy saints in the eternal banquet of 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
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)
St Oswald's, Durham Charity No. 1196296
