HISTORY OF PANGZAWL LOCAL

On August 7th, 1954, the Village Chief of Pangzawl, Pu Besawha (Thankunga), embraced the doctrines and teachings of the UPC. Around that time, Pastor Zakamlova conducted ministry in Pangzawl village, and Pu Besawha, Pu Thanzauva (F/o Lalnghinga), and Pu Pasuka Sailo (F/o Lalvuana) joined him. However, because the subjects of the chief did not support him, even though he was the chief, he spent time praying alone in a farm hut. By 1955, his son Pu Thanzauva, along with Pu Pasuka and Pu Kamlova, joined him, and they began functioning as a church. As the church was formed, they held services at Pu Besawha's home, but they could not yet build a dedicated church building. In 1958, they finally established a church building. A road ran below the chief's house hill, and below that road, they constructed a bamboo-walled structure measuring 12x18 feet. At that time, bamboo and wooden poles were primarily used for construction, while thatch or palm leaves were commonly used for roofing.

As years passed, shortly before the insurgency period, they planned to construct a church using sawn timber; however, due to the outbreak of the insurgency, their stored sawn timber was completely burned down. Consequently, their plans could not be realized at that time. As Pangzawl became a regrouping center due to the insurgency, they fellowshiped together with UPC members who came from various villages, and at that time, there were approximately 200 members. However, perhaps due to the geographical layout of the sectors, the church did not continue to worship in a single location; instead, services were organized in two separate locations during the insurgency period.

In 1972, the regrouping center dispersed, and people returned towards their former locations and searched for convenient places for farming. The local Pangzawl church members continued their fellowship joyfully under the leadership of Evan Pasuka. Following this, the house plot of Pu Enmawia was purchased for the church site, and in 1978, they built a lovely church using sawn timber. After the insurgency, the church site was shifted from Melveng to Banglaveng, and the church remained in Banglaveng for some time. However, since the majority of church members resided in Melveng, it was deemed more convenient to rebuild the church back in Melveng in 1996. Up to the present day, the church has been rebuilt 4 times since the insurgency. Currently, it is being constructed using RCC pillars, and there are 26 members. To date, Pangzawl Local has produced two licensed ministers: Evan. Pasuka Sailo and Evan. H. Lalsuaka.

Present Church Leaders: Local Chairman : Evan H. Lalsuaka
Secretary : Elder TC. Lalramnghaka
Treasurer : Elder H. Suakkhuma