The Rev James Urie was inducted as the first minister of the ''Pomahaka and Mataura charge'' on March 23, 1864. Services were first held in the largest indoor meeting place available - a woolshed at Dalvey Station.
The church has had 16 ministers through the years, and took up the name ''Church on the Way'' in 1999.
To mark the 150 years, celebrations will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 22 and 23.
Anniversary committee member Kaye Hancox said the event would celebrate the parish's past 150 years, while looking ahead to its future.
''Our Scottish forebears had a vision to bring Christianity to this wider Tapanui district. Our membership today will continue to have courage and strength in a changing environment, and to be strong in resolve as we look to the future,'' she said.
The community had changed significantly over the years, particularly after the forestry closures of the late 1980s, which saw between 40 and 60 families leave the area, and with the recent increase in dairy farms, Mrs Hancox said.
Also, families were now smaller, and many ''stalwarts of the church'' had retired outside the wider Tapanui area.
''Families today are more mobile and have other interests, in sports and other events on a Sunday.''
The church had an active if smaller parish, Mrs Hancox said.
A senior men's group called ''Dad's Army'' had worked to fundraise for the church, and also the new West Otago Health Centre, while the parish also had several fellowship groups and ran out-of-church programmes.
The 150th anniversary will follow a similar format to previous celebrations.
On the Saturday there will be a bus trip around the district followed by a dinner, and on the Sunday a church service and lunch.
A range of memorabilia will be displayed at the church, and people are encouraged to share their own photos, particularly colour photos.
Registrations for the 150th celebrations close tomorrow.
