St Oswald’s Church, Durham Postcard

The earliest part of this church dates from the twelfth century but the site is thought to be older as a number of Anglo Saxon finds have been made. The finds consisted of five pre conquest sculptures incorporated into the wall of the church which were removed in the later part of the nineteenth century. Studies show that the sculptures may date from some time before the settlement on the peninsula of Durham called Dun Holm. It therefore seems likely that this area was the place where Bishop Peotwine was consecrated in 762 A.D.The fact that the church is dedicated to St Oswald may also be of signifcance as this is the only ancient church in Northumberland or Durham dedicated to him. St Oswald was in fact a king of Northumbria (634-641 A.D) who converted the people of his kingdom to Christianity with the assistance of St Aidan, a predecessor of St Cuthbert.