Finding a church near you is now no harder than using your mouse, thanks to the advent of a new "Church Search' tool released by the National Church Life Survey.

"We know from our research the most common reason people drop out of church is when they move house," says Church Search project manager Dr Ruth Powell.

"We hope that Church Search can make the daunting task of finding a new church easier," she says.

Church Search is based on a comprehensive online database listing more than 10,000 Australian churches in 20 denominations.

A few clicks through the national database will provide inquirers with the name, location, contact details and service times of each congregation.

The NCLS plans to expand the service further over the next few months, contacting churches for permission to provide even more detailed information.

Web developer Phil Harding hopes the database will also be able to include information about the style of worship services, mission and service activities and young people attending.

"We are trying to let the personality of each church come through," he says.

"This is a chance for non church-goers to find out about all the good things that their local churches are doing such as youth programs and community services."

Dr Powell believes the church database will be of particular use to church leaders seeking to help congregation members relocate.

"By providing this service, we hope that it will help more people find their way into churches" Dr Powell says.

The database is free to use and available through the Church Search website.

Congregations can keep their details current by using an online update form and password provided by NCLS.