About Us

St Oswald’s Church is a prayerful and welcoming presence at the heart of Grasmere — a place to encounter God’s love, deepen faith through worship and prayer, and find connection, support, and hope in all seasons of life.

Rooted in the beauty of the Lake District and inspired by Christ’s peace, we seek to be a beacon of faith, service, and compassion for all who live in or visit Grasmere.

St Oswald’s likely stands on one of the earliest Christian sites in northern Britain — a place of prayer, worship, and community for more than a thousand years. In common with other early Christian sites the church lies beside a river, where communities gathered and baptisms took place. Today, a Daffodil Gardens lies between the churchyard and the River Rothay, a peaceful place for reflection.

Our patron saint, King Oswald of Northumbria, reputedly preached on this site in the 7th century. After his time in exile with the monks of Iona, he reclaimed his kingdom and invited the monks to bring Christianity to his people. Today, pilgrims from around the world visit the church and the graves of William Wordsworth and his family in the churchyard. 

We warmly invite you to join us.