Following a church service, worshippers walked the short distance from St Peter's Church to the statue of William Rees near the Queenstown Bay waterfront.
Here, flowers were laid in memory of Mr Rees, who had carried out an informal lay ministry before being formally presented with his lay licence by the Bishop of Christchurch - Henry Harper, in 1863.
Bishop Harper led the morning and evening worship on Sunday March 15, 1863, in the Queens Arms Hotel, which had been converted from Rees' woolshed, and is now Eichardt's Private Hotel.
On that day it was decided an Anglican church would be established in Queenstown.
The Rt Rev Dr David Coles, vicar of Wakatipu Anglican Parish, played the role of Bishop Henry Harper and re-enacted the signing of official documentation in 1863.
The re-enactment was done in the foyer of Eichardt's Hotel.
A drawing of William Rees titled The Founder was unveiled, having been donated by the artist Craig Primrose, Rosemary Marryatt, a great-granddaughter of William Rees, and the Rees Hotel.
The re-enactment launched the church's 150th anniversary celebrations.
Former parishioners and others who are interested are invited to attend the main celebrations over the weekend of Saturday August 31 and Sunday September 1, when a special service will be held, followed by a dinner.
A talk will be given by Rosemary Marryatt and there will be a display of wedding dresses and christening gowns from over the past 150 years.
