Who we are…

A very warm “Welcome” to St Oswald’s Church, Grasmere.

We are in the heart of the Lake District, now a World Heritage Site. St Oswald’s is a mediaeval church on a site dating back to the earliest days of Christianity in northern Britain. Locals and visitors ‘belong’ here, in the quiet of a weekday visit and the sung Eucharistic worship on Sundays and festivals.

There is a strong and welcoming congregation who enjoy meeting the many visitors who share worship on Sundays at 11am. Additional services are held during major festivals and occasional songs of praise, choral evensongs with visiting choirs.

St Oswald’s has a wonderful organ and a church choir, leading worship at major Sunday services and occasional Choral Evensongs.

We would describe our style as sympathetic to traditional worship, with the Eucharist central to our life. We are keen to develop different forms of worship for all ages and, like many other rural communities, the local population come for big services such as Christmas and Rush Bearing.

St. Oswald’s is part of the Central Lakes Mission Community.

The Rush Bearing festival held in July each year attracts the community and visitors alike. Its origins are lost in the mist of many centuries but it involves a procession, act of worship, tea with gingerbread and the church carpeted with rushes. Though it involves lots of preparation, this age long festival keeps the rural tradition of church and community giving thanks to God very much alive.

The Village School is C of E Voluntary aided and is consistently rated highly by Ofsted. The children visit and use the church throughout the year. To help support the school there is a strong network of volunteers from the community.

In summary we feel we are truly blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the country, with a peaceful church to visit and to say a prayer.

We look forward to welcoming you. Join us!

2022-03-18