The present church dates from the late 12th century,[1] and is likely built on the site of an earlier church.[2] It was rebuilt in 1834 by Ignatius Bonomi.[1] In 1864, Hodgson Fowler rebuilt the tower and the chancel, and added an organ chamber.[1][2]
In 1984, the organ and part of the chancel were destroyed by fire. A new organ was built by Peter Collins to the specifications of the organist David Higgins, and installed in a new gallery at the west end of the church. The organ was restored in 2019.[3]
Present day
St. Oswald's Church is part of the benefice of the Three Saints in the Archdeaconry of Durham of the Diocese of Durham, along with Shincliffe St Mary, Coxhoe St. Mary, and Kelloe St. Helen.[4] The church was until recently used by the Eastern Orthodox Church of St Cuthbert and St Bede, which has now relocated to the former mortuary chapel in Providence Row.[5]
Notable people
David Higgins, organist and choirmaster from 1974 to 2006
Will Todd, pianist and composer, who was a choirboy during David Higgins' tenure as choirmaster
Notable clergy
Anthony Belasyse, later Archdeacon of Colchester, served as vicar in the middle of the 16th century
.jpg)
