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).
Saturday, 4th April 2026 - Passiontide: Holy Saturday (Easter Eve)
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
John 19:38-42 New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition
The Collect of the Day:
Grant, O Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of thy blessed Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continually mortifying our corrupt affections we may be buried with him; and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for his merits, who died and was buried and rose again for us, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Common Worship
A Sonnet for Holy Saturday:
Jesus' Body is Taken Down from the Cross
His spirit and his life he breathes in all
Now on this cross his body breathes no more
Here at the centre everything is still
Spent, and emptied, opened to the core.
A quiet taking down, a prising loose
A cross-beam lowered like a weighing scale
Unmaking of each thing that had its use
A long withdrawing of each bloodied nail,
This is ground zero, emptiness and space
With nothing left to say or think or do
But look unflinching on the sacred face
That cannot move or change or look at you.
Yet in that prising loose and letting be
He has unfastened you and set you free.
Malcolm Guite
A Prayer for the Persecuted Church:
Lord Jesus, today we think of all those who, like you, have been handed over to their enemies. We think of Christian girls forced into marriage against their will; of wives or husbands betrayed to the authorities by their spouses; of children handed over by their parents. We think of churches who meet in secret, and who often cannot be sure who they can trust, or whether they have spies in their midst. Lord, may they remain strong in their faith; may they have wisdom in knowing what to share, and courage not to give into fear. And may those who betray them see in their lives your forgiveness and hope.
Amen.
Open Doors UK & Ireland
A Hymn for Passiontide and Holy Week:
1 O cross of Christ, immortal tree
on which our Saviour died,
the world is sheltered by your arms
that bore the crucified.
2 From bitter death and barren wood
the tree of life is made;
its branches bear unfailing fruit
and leaves that never fade.
3 O faithful cross, you stand unmoved
while ages run their course:
foundation of the universe,
creation's binding force.
4 Give glory to the risen Christ
and to his cross give praise,
the sign of God's unfathomed love,
the hope of all our days.
From Stanbrook Abbey
Common Praise: A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (2000) #115
Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:
April 2026 - Chester-le-Street and Houghton Deanery
The Prayer of King Oswald of Northumbria:
Let us together implore the living and true and almighty God in his mercy to defend us against the pride and fierceness of our enemy; for that God knows our cause is just, and that we fight for the salvation of our nation.
Amen.
(Prayed by King Oswald with his Army on the Battlefield on the Eve of the Battle of Heavenfield, AD634)
St Oswald's, Durham Charity No. 1196296
