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We have changed some of our activities because of Coronavirus (COVID-19). But St Oswald's is still here as a church to serve our congregation and our community at large. Click here for more information.

We are holding services in church and some on-line (on Zoom). For the latest information about these please see our calendar.

Our church building is normally open for private prayer on weekdays from 10.00am to 3.00pm. Please use the hand sanitisers on the way in, remember social distancing and do not go into church if you or a member of your household has any of the symptoms of COVID-19. Although the use of face coverings is no longer mandatory, we recommend that they should be used in busy services where physical distancing is not always possible. Please continue to exercise due care for your 'neighbour' when in church!

Sowerby Parochial Hall - a new start?

It is our aspiration to undertake a project of improvements to the hall. In fact, you will have noticed that we have already begun by building a new kitchen to provide a better facility for catering. The hall is, however, looking very 'tired' and undervalued. We make a lot of use of this facility with many groups in during the week - but it is now time to make it more suitable for the twenty-first century! We would like to repaint the interior, increase the capacity of the car park, provide more storage, buy new tables and chairs, put up new curtains or blinds and install WiFi and a Loop system. The flooring in the main hall requires re-laying. None of this comes cheap, of course. We need to approach sources of income - from grants and from the local community. Accordingly, we need a Fund-Raising Manager to take the lead on this. Do you know someone who would have this skill and appropriate experience? Could you take this on? This building is a valuable resource for the wider Sowerby and Thirsk community (quite apart from its use as our church hall). There are very few others like it locally. We would even like to be able to host wedding receptions one day - but its condition needs improvement before that! Please think and pray about whether and in what capacity you could help. It will be an excellent opportunity for teamwork and service to our community. For further information contact Simon Birkbeck. Thank you.

Video of the licensing and installation of Rev David Biggs, on Saturday 31 July 2021, as Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice of Sessay, Sowerby and Thirkleby with Kilburn and Bagby. Please pray for David and his wife Emma.

More photographs from the licensing and installation.

St Oswald's finances have been severely stretched over the past year with a total lack of hall income and very little fee and collection income from baptisms, weddings and funerals and the normal offertory plate. Somehow, we have to make up this lost income. Thankfully, many have responded to our earlier appeal but we are now inviting those that wish to make occasional and welcome offerings to St Oswald's. We would be very grateful for any support you feel able to give us. Thank you.

For those who struggle without faith or who are searching for meaning in life, or those who are really struggling with faith, there is a website that may provide fresh hope www.hopeforall.org.uk. This aims to help those who find it difficult to believe to explore the Christian faith. It is a place where you can go yourself or point your friends and family when they want to try praying, reading the Bible or exploring some of life's big questions.

Welcome to our website

St Oswald's is a beautiful and historic Church of England Parish Church in the village of Sowerby, just outside Thirsk. It is attended by people of all ages who live in the village and surrounding area, and by many visitors to this scenic part of North Yorkshire. St Oswald's has a thriving ministry to children and young people, a variety of music styles, opportunities for learning about the Christian faith in small groups or simply being quiet and reflective together.

We enjoy close links with our sister churches - St Mary's at Bagby, St Mary's at Kilburn, St Cuthbert's at Sessay and All Saints at Thirkleby - as well as Sowerby Methodist Church and the Thirsk Parishes. We are also members of the local Churches Together Group. This website tells you a lot more about the ministry of St Oswald's Church.

If there is any further information you would like, please do not hesitate to contact either of the Churchwardens, David Tucker and Simon Birkbeck.

Church of England Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for churches

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© 2021 The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Oswald Sowerby.
Registered charity number 1135485.