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.

Thursday, 30th July 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Feast of William Wilberforce, Olaudah Equiano and Thomas Clarkson, Anti-Slavery Campaigners 1833, 1797 and 1846 [Lesser Festival]

So enormous, so dreadful, so irremediable did the [slave] trade’s wickedness appear that my own mind was completely made up for abolition. Let the consequences be what they would: I from this time determined that I would never rest until I had effected its abolition.

William Wilberforce 

The Collect of the Day:

God our deliverer, who sent your Son Jesus Christ to set your people free from the slavery of sin: grant that, as your servants William Wilberforce, Olaudah Equiano and Thomas Clarkson toiled against the sin of slavery, so we may bring compassion to all and work for the freedom of all the children of God; 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 

A Reading for the Day:

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’

Luke 4:16-21, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

The Post Communion for the Day:

God our redeemer, who inspired William Wilberforce, Olaudah Equiano and Thomas Clarkson to witness to your love and to work for the coming of your kingdom: may we, who in this sacrament share the bread of heaven, be fired by your Spirit to proclaim the gospel in our daily living and never to rest content until your kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

Common Worship 

A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Recent Earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan:

God of mercy and compassion,

We pray for the people of Japan following the devastating earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Hold close all who mourn the loss of loved ones. Bring healing to those who are injured and comfort to all who are frightened, displaced or waiting for news of family and friends.

Protect those who remain trapped or missing. Give strength, wisdom and endurance to rescue workers, medical teams and all who are providing emergency assistance.

We pray for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. May they receive shelter, food, clean water, medical care and the practical support they need.

Strengthen our sisters and brothers in the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, the Anglican Church of Japan, and all churches and communities offering comfort and care.

Amid grief and destruction, sustain the people of Japan with courage and hope, and guide them through the long work of recovery.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our refuge and our strength.

Amen.

The Anglican Communion 

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

July 2026 - Wearmouth Deanery

A Prayer of St Oswald of Northumbria:

Let us all kneel, and jointly beseech the true and living God Almighty, in his mercy, to defend us from the haughty and fierce enemy; for He knows that we have undertaken a just war for the safety of our nation.

Amen. 

(Prayed by King Oswald with his Army on the Battlefield on the Eve of the Battle of Heavenfield, AD634)