The Phungyo Baptist Church (NTNBA) mother church – Manipur celebrated its 125th birthday on 29 September 2026 at Wino/Thahao Ukhrul.
Church elder Qr. Kormareng Shingnaisui was the Chief Guest and unfurled the flag of the celebration. Qr. Kormareng Shingnaisui narrated the journey of William Pettigrew in Manipur and how he finally reached Ukhrul/Hunphun. He called for unity, love and peace among the Tangkhul brethren.
Rev. Dr. E. Shaiza, Senior Pastor, PBC in his welcome address stated that “we were planning for a grand celebration but considering the current situation in our land, the Board of Deacon and the Quasquicentennial Committee have decided for a solemn and symbolic celebration”. He thanked the church leaders and elders from various churches for their participation and prayer support.
Exhortation was delivered by Rev. HA. Tamreingam, Ex-Pastor, PBC and Rev. Ayonsui Shingnaisui, Ex-Pastor, PBC and Wungnaokhan Kasomwoshi, Chairman QQC Planning Committee.
Rev. William Pettigrew arrived in Tangkhul as a missionary in 1896. Started his work as an educationist at the Ukhrul/Hungphun when 20 students enrolled to learn rudimentary western education.
Pettigrew also learned the Tangkhul language later he wrote the Tangkhul primers, arithmetic, and catechism in Roman script, and finally translating the English Bible into the Tangkhul language. The New Testament was published in the Tangkhul language in 1926.
Imparting western education was followed by converting 12 Tangkhuls from their primal religion of nature-worshiping to Christianity on 29 September 1901. This day is regarded as the birthday of Phungyo Baptist Church.
