The Rosanna Uniting Church in Bellevue Avenue will hold its last service on February 26, nearly 64 years to the day since it first opened. Apart from affecting its congregation, the church's closure will leave a kindergarten and community groups with an uncertain future.

Last year, the joint Uniting Church council – representing six congregations across Heidelberg, Rosanna, Watsonia and Ivanhoe – decided to close the church due to a lack of volunteers and dwindling attendance.

Congregation secretary Jim May said the "real problem" facing the church was its ageing congregation.

"We are running out of people to take on the leadership responsibilities. We couldn't have carried on much longer," he said.

Mr May said more than 50 churchgoers who still regularly attended Sunday services would be affected by the closure. He said some had been members of the congregation since its inception. "It's a very emotional issue for a lot of people."

Mr Vickers, a Rosanna retiree, said he and his wife were among those who would have to find a new church, after being members of the Bellevue congregation since 1974.

"We've got to know a lot of nice people, and we'll miss them. There are a lot of people trying to keep the friendships together."

Mr Vickers said he would now consider joining the nearby Uniting Church in Arden Crescent.

Despite closing its doors, the church will remain on the site, at least in the short term.

Rosanna Uniting Church kindergarten – with more than 70 children – and several other community groups who use the church have been allowed to stay at the Bellevue Avenue site for two years.

Kindergarten assistant Nicole Perichon said the kindergarten had been promised it would not be forced to find a new premises until at least 2014.

Several community groups – including a vintage motorcycle club and dance classes – have also been given a reprieve.

The church council is now believed to be in negotiations to lease the building to a Pentecostal church.

Mr May acknowledged the council was considering leasing the church to another congregation but would not comment further.

The Uniting Church council had not ruled out selling the church in the future, he said.