CHURCHES destroyed on Black Saturday have not received a cent of the $350m relief fund and are divided over who needs the money most. Three churches in Kinglake were destroyed in February and so far none has received any financial help to rebuild.
The Rev Stephen Holmes, of St Peter's Anglican church, said many Christians gave to the relief fund and the churches were hoping to have their share, but Catholic Father Grant O'Neil believes the money should go to the needy.
The little wooden Anglican church at Kinglake was built in 1924 and was one of only a handful of Victorian World War I memorial churches.
The historic church would cost $400,000 to rebuild and Mr Holmes said they were falling short and needed a hand to boost funds.
"We are not asking for a whole lot. We only need $50,000," he said.
But Fr O'Neil said it was inappropriate for a church to ask for funding and said the money should go to people in need.
He said the Catholic church had $400,000 to rebuild the modern brick St Mary's and had even commissioned a Sydney artist to carve two wooden statues for it.
Fr O'Neil said if the Government offered he would accept donations.
"If at the end of the day there is money left over we will automatically give it to St Vincent de Paul," he said.
Portable buildings stand on both church sites waiting for the chill of winter to subside as church groups detail plans, work out insurance claims and consult congregations.
The St Kliment's Macedonian orthodox monastery near Kinglake National Park was also destroyed.
President Sam Ristovski said the Macedonian community had raised $6000 for the Red Cross fund and would appreciate some help.
Red Cross Bushfire Relief Fund spokeswoman Elizabeth Tuckey said the advisory panel had finished giving money to individuals and was now focusing on allocating the remaining $70 million to community groups and buildings.
She denied sporting groups were being given priority over churches and said funding was based on the community value of an organisation.
"We are waiting for a list of what the community thinks is important and where the donated funds would be best spent," Ms Tuckey said.
Anglican parish member Peter Crook, who lost part of his house in the fires, said he lived in hope the Government would help with costs.
"The church is an integral part of the community. Maybe not every day but in hours of need it is a place of refuge," Mr Crook said. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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