The church is a grade II* listed building and it dates in part from the 12th century.

[1] In 1864, Hodgson Fowler rebuilt the tower and the chancel, and added an organ chamber.

The west window dates from 1864 to 1866 and was designed by Morris & Co with some panels by Ford Madox Brown.

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.

[3] 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.