Click here <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@54.4574273,-3.0237287,3a,75y,65.49h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sAF1QipNUHMN1-FEuEMGl9yraL-PkwrFsxkp8ZvfPfvf7!2e10!3e12!7i10240!8i5120">St Oswalds church - Google Maps</a> to look round inside the church.
Interns will play an active role in the daily rhythm of worship, leading morning and night prayer services and supporting the spiritual life of the community. They will also help provide a warm welcome and pastoral support to participants in quiet days and retreats ensuring that all visitors encounter Rydal Hall as a place of rest, renewal, and encounter with God. The first intern to join the programme is 18-year-old Sam Bentham, who has moved from IIkley, Yorkshire, to spend a year at both Rydal Hall and Grasmere Church. A keen fell runner, Sam recently represented England in the Junior Home International race in Snowdonia, where he finished 3rd overall. "Running has always been a big part of my life and my faith," said Sam. "I feel closer to God on the mountains. I'm really excited to spend this year exploring my vocation, serving others, and growing in prayer."Rydal Hall's Chaplain Lawrence Basham says, "Through mentoring, training, and hands-on experience across church, school, and community settings, our interns will develop the skills and confidence to serve both the Church and wider society in the years ahead".For more information contact Nancy Gray, Marketing Co-ordinator Rydal Hall
As of 1st June 2025, the parishes of Grasmere and Rydal have officially joined together to form one new parish — the Parish of Grasmere.This merger is a natural and positive step forward in our shared ministry and mission in the area. With the new parish now established, there will be one Parochial Church Council (PCC) serving the whole community. This will allow us to work more closely together, share resources, and support one another in our worship and outreach.Worship in RydalRegular Sunday morning 9:30am Holy Communion services take place in the beautiful chapel at Rydal Hall, led by Lawrence Basham and a dedicated team who offer regular services and pastoral care. This has become a valued and vibrant part of parish life, drawing people together in prayer and fellowship throughout the week.St Mary’s, Rydal will remain open daily as a place of peace and prayer and is available for weddings, baptisms and funerals - moments where life and faith meet in celebration.Our much loved Taize evening services happen at 7pm on the first Sunday of each month except January and August. For the winter months - November, December, February, March and April - these are held in Rydal Hall Chapel, returning to St Mary’s for the warmer months In addition, we are delighted to announce that St Mary’s will host five special festival services in 2025 and 2026• Harvest Festival – Saturday 5 October, 9:30am• Remembrance Sunday – Sunday 9 November, 9:30am• Christmas Day – Wednesday 25 December, 9:30am• Easter Sunday – Sunday 5 April, 9:30am• Pentecost Sunday – Sunday 24 May, 9:30amWe look forward to seeing many of you at these services, and we give thanks for the continued life and witness of our churches in both Grasmere and Rydal.Come and be part of this new season with us - you will always find a warm welcome. Jane Robinson, Ruth Yates (PCC members)
St Oswald’s Church is open daily for anyone to visit our historic church building and also to just sit and think. Judging by the number of written prayer requests (currently more than 200 per month) left in the church building, lots of people do visit us to pray and some return and leave notes to say their prayers were answered and thank us.Each week we pray through every individual prayer request left at St Oswald’s church. A place that has been a place of prayer for centuries, we stand on the prayers of those who have gone before us and our job is to receive and hold the baton for now.‘A peaceful place’, ‘thank you for being open, so calm in here’, ‘I sense God’s presence here’ are the types of message we find written most days in the visitor book and so in June there will begin two new services during the week for anyone to connect with the praying community on that day in the village, on Tuesday’s at 11.00am, Holy Communion and Thursdays at 2.30pm a silent half hour, a space to sit. Nobody will bother you, just peace and quiet in an ancient church. We’re open, you’re invited.
