Publican Tom Lawless says he has not managed to interest church members in drinking his beer.
But despite the wide gap in their vocations, the church and the pub had an ''absolutely wonderful'' relationship, ever since church members started using a room for Sunday worship.
The unusual site - a partitioned room next-door to the bar - was the only place the church could find after its lease ended on the upper story of the Four Square store around the corner.
Pastor Lyn Meinders said the pub was the ''only door that was open to us'' after the church had to move from its home of 26 years.
The Elim Church has had a presence in Palmerston since 1987.
''This was kind of a big thing,'' Mrs Meinders said of the end of the lease.
''It was interesting because everything was full - there were no doors open to us. Some of our people made the comment they had been praying for years for everything to be leased and the place would flourish.''
That had clearly happened, leaving church members to ask, ''What do we do now''?
Mrs Meinders decided to talk to Mr Lawless about the situation, and ''the rest is history''.
The pentecostal church did not require infrastructure like an altar. She said Jesus went out and met the people where they were, and the Elim Church was doing the same.
Mr Lawless said when he first took over the hotel 16 months ago, his plan was for it to support community events.
That included everything from line dancers to charity fundraising housie nights, the Lions and the bridge club.
The church uses the room off the dining area at a time when the bar was closed.
Church Elder Andrew Abernethy said despite attempts to pay for its use, Mr Lawless had said 'No'.
Church members, of whom there were about 26 ''on a good day'', found the situation ''a bit strange at the start''.
It was, however, working very well.
''We've got the whole community talking,'' he said.
