Ukhrul, September 29, 2026: The Phungyo Baptist Church (PBC), NTNBA, known as the Mother Church of Manipur, celebrated its 125th anniversary on September 29 at Wino/Thahao, Ukhrul, marking 125 years of Christian faith, service and community life among the Tangkhul people.
The anniversary programme began with the unfurling of the anniversary flag by Church Elder Kormareng Shingnaisui, who attended the occasion as Chief Guest.
Addressing the gathering, Shingnaisui recalled the missionary journey of Rev. William Pettigrew in Manipur and his eventual arrival in Ukhrul/Hunphun. He highlighted Pettigrew’s contribution to the spread of Christianity and the introduction of modern education in the Tangkhul region, while also appealing to the Tangkhul community to uphold unity, love and peace.
Senior Pastor of PBC (NTNBA), Rev. Dr. E. Shaiza, delivered the welcome address. He said that although the church had initially planned a grand celebration, the prevailing situation in the land led the Board of Deacons and the Quasquicentennial Committee to opt for a solemn and symbolic celebration.
Rev. Dr. Shaiza expressed gratitude to church leaders, elders and representatives from various churches for their participation and prayer support, saying their presence added significance to the historic occasion.
Ex-Pastors of PBC (NTNBA), Rev. H.A. Tamreingam and Rev. Ayonsui Shingnaisui, delivered exhortation speeches during the programme. Wungnaokhan Kasomwoshi, Chairman of the Quasquicentennial Celebration Planning Committee, also addressed the gathering.
The anniversary commemorates the historic beginning of the Phungyo Baptist Church on September 29, 1901, when Rev. William Pettigrew baptised the first 12 Tangkhul converts at a spring known as “Ngayira” in Ukhrul.
Rev. William Pettigrew, a Scottish-British missionary, linguist and educator, arrived in India in 1890 and began his work in Manipur before moving to the hill areas. He reached Ukhrul in February 1896 and established the first formal Western school there in 1897, contributing significantly to modern education in the Tangkhul region. His wife, Alice Pettigrew, also worked to promote women’s education.
Pettigrew studied the Tangkhul dialect, developed its written form using the Roman alphabet, and prepared linguistic and educational materials, including grammars, dictionaries, primers and translations of Christian literature.
The baptism of the first 12 Tangkhul converts on September 29, 1901, marked a historic milestone in the growth of Christianity among the Tangkhul people and laid the foundation of what is now known as Phungyo Baptist Church, regarded as the Mother Church of Manipur.
The 125th anniversary celebration thus served as both a commemoration of the church’s historic journey and a reminder of its continuing role in the spiritual and social life of the Tangkhul community.
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