Guests had the opportunity to explore all the beauty of the grandiose St George's Anglican Church on Friday afternoon during a special open house.

The event was the first of several organised over the three days to mark the 150th anniversary of the Parkes Shire parish.

Celebrations also included talks and guest speakers, men's breakfast, anniversary dinner, barbecue lunch at Kelly Reserve and a Thanksgiving service.

Visitors found themselves a seat among the pews to listen to music on Friday, which included devoted organist Richard Morgan, originally from Forbes who now lives in Sydney and who travels back for most special occasions, Parkes Shire Concert Band and community band based in Parkes and involves musicians from around the Central West Subtonic Fusion.

Or people sat outside in the garden for refreshments and a chat.

The church's and ministry's history was brought alive and its future looking bright during a memorabilia display in the church hall.

Thousands of photos from a range of families, groups, activities and special occasions decorated stands, which also featured historic bibles, books and booklets, excerpts, informative posters, a 1941 Signature Tablecloth with hand-stitched past and more recent names of the St George's Women's Guild and garments.

There was also a plastic sleeve booklet containing 34 pages of every memorial aspect of the church captured and recorded by Betty Somers.

"Anything with a name on it I took with my little old camera," Betty said.

The anniversary dinner on Saturday night at the Parkes Services Club was a big highlight for the parish, with guests travelling near and far for the occasion.

Joan Rauchle, whose family has been attending St George's Church since the beginning, had the honour of cutting the anniversary cake.