The new building was to have been carted about 26km from Balclutha to Clydevale, but the 58-tonne rig was too heavy to cross the weight-restricted Clydevale Clutha River bridge.
Instead, it had to detour about 550km through Outram, Middlemarch, Central Otago, Queenstown and Gore.
Their were other problems after the church, built by Big River Homes in Balclutha, had to languish in a yard in Cromwell for more than a week due to fog and the need to use the truck for other removal jobs.
The church-moving permits had by then expired and needed to be renewed.
Clutha Valley Presbyterian Church building committee chairman Graeme Steel was relieved the church had arrived, and said the delay would not adversely affect parishioners, despite moving insurance having to be renewed three times.
Since selling their old church to Te Anau Lodge two years ago, the congregation had been using a small church at Tuapeka Mouth and an old post office at Clydevale.
The church used money from the sale of that building, and from the sale of two manses, for the new building.
Big River Homes director and owner Mark van Asperen said that while the extra travel added a "significant cost" to the operation, his company would be bearing the costs.
"It's a shame it ended up this way, but it was no fault of the clients and there is no way they should bear the costs."
Mr van Asperen said he hoped the Clutha District Council would soon repair the Clydevale bridge, which has been earmarked for strengthening work before its possible replacement in 20 years.
"The Clydevale Bridge is an integral part of our business and is a hugely important link to the South.""It has been a bit of a journey - literally," he said.
The church will be set on its piles today, after it was delivered to the Manse St site in Clydevale yesterday afternoon.
Mr Steel said there was some work left to do on the church building, including the laying of carpet and lino, the fixing of any cracks, painting a final coat, plus adding a veranda and deck.
The congregation hopes to be using the building next month.
