Rural churches disappearing

The last rites are being given to hundreds of churches across rural Victoria.

Closures show no signs of slowing, with one faith alone having shut dozens of places of worship in the last three years.

Church leaders of all denominations believe a third of all remaining churches in both the country and city will be lost in the next 15 years.

"The bank manager has gone, the policeman, the post office, now the clergy ... the last thing to go will be the footy club," said Anglican Archdeacon John Davis from Wangaratta.

"We are doing our darndest to make sure there are no gaps, but we are thin on the ground in some places," he said. Keep reading