INITIATIVES AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH:

In 1947, a major spiritual Revival broke out in Lunglawn village, and those who experienced the most intense joy were cast out from the main singing fellowship hall. Among their prominent leaders were Mr. Bualzika, Mr. Lalkhuma, and Mrs. Thangpuii. For nearly 10 years, they remained in a state of solitude and uncertainty, yet during this period, their inner spirits were constantly filled with joy through the communion of the Holy Spirit.

In 1955, Preacher Elder Lalthianghlima from Mualcheng North visited Lunglawn village to preach the word of God. Under the leadership of Elder Lalthianghlima, this group began gathering separately for worship at the home of Mr. Bualzika. In early 1956, Pastor Lalthima from Chawngtui village visited them, and during this ministry service, as many as 30 people were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Mr. Lalkhuma was notably the very first to receive baptism. From this point forward, the Church gradually took root and grew.

Pioneers of the Lunglawn U.P.C. Church:

The Church established in early 1956 was named the ‘Lunglawn U.P.C. Church.’ (Note: During those days, Ramthar Veng and Salem Veng did not exist yet, as they were only carved out as separate localities from Lunglawn village later on). In this newly established Church, Elders and Committee Members (Rawngbawltu) were appointed as follows: two Elders and five Committee Members.

• Chairman: Elder Lalkhuma
• Secretary: Elder Kamliana
• Rbt. Pa Sina
• Rbt. Laipawnga
• Rbt. Thangpuii
• Rbt. Rualkhumi
• Rbt. Laizawni

Shortly after the establishment of the Church, Pastor Lalthima visited again and found that the congregation had grown to 70 members. Following this, the Church continued to progress smoothly.

"Since there are no written records of the exact date and time of the Church's establishment, it is very difficult to state it with absolute certainty. Even among the early pioneers we interviewed while they were still alive, their accounts varied slightly. It is reasonable to believe that even before a physical Church building was constructed in Lunglawn village, the congregation was already well-organized. Mrs. Hmingi, daughter of the last Chief of Lunglawn, related the following: 'In front of where the current Radio Station stands (referring to the area between Mr. Vula’s place and the PHE Water Tank), there used to be an old Drama Hall. We cleared it out to conduct Sunday School, and I used to teach there myself. My father (the last Chief of Lunglawn) was also a member of the U.P.C., and he expressed his wish to have "U.P.C." written on his tombstone. However, because we were not the sole decision-makers of the family handling the grave, we could not write it,' she shared with deep nostalgia during an interview with Church representatives in early 2016. (Those compiling material for our Local Church Diamond Jubilee Souvenir interviewed Mrs. Hmingi in person and recorded her words in writing as she spoke them)." – Evan. MS Dawngliana Hnamte.

Ramthar U.P.C. Mel Khat:

In 1983, Ramthar Veng was separated from Lunglawn to become an independent Village Council area. Since the existing Church building now fell within the boundaries of the Ramthar Village Council Area, continuing to call it the 'Lunglawn U.P.C. Church' was no longer suitable. On Sunday, September 14, 1986, the Church Board Committee officially renamed it to 'Ramthar U.P.C. Mel Khat.' At this time, the Church membership had not yet reached 100 people. It was also commonly referred to and called 'Ramthar Local.'

Ramthar A.O.C. Local:

As time went on, two U.P.C. Local Church buildings came to exist within Ramthar Veng. To prevent administrative confusion and to make identification easier, the Church Board Committee deemed it necessary to adopt a distinct name. On July 14, 2002, the name was changed once again to 'U.P.C. Ramthar A.O.C. Local.' Despite the official long form, for convenience in speech and writing, it is mostly referred to as 'Ramthar A.O.C. Local,' a name that has been carried forward to this day.

CHURCH SITE ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION HISTORY:

First Church Building Construction:

Following the establishment of the Church in 1956, immediate steps were taken to build a church building. It was constructed using wooden posts, a thatched roof, and bamboo matting walls, measuring 18 feet in length. The construction site was located on the ridge of Lunglawn Thakthing Veng; to this day, the locality name remains unchanged and continues to be used as its primary designation. Among the congregation members remembered for their active participation in community labor (hnatlang) during that time were Mr. Zataia, Mr. Sangsela, Mr. Vaihuaia, Mr. Saitawna, Mr. Kamlala, Mrs. Parmawii, and Mrs. Dartawti.

Second Church Building Construction:

After using the original site for about 20 years, it was no longer possible to continue using the same location. Regarding this site transition, there were two differing accounts: First, 'We built it on land temporarily granted by Mr. Sawithanga, and when he requested us to move, we relocated.' Second, 'While we were worshipping peacefully, someone else applied for and obtained a land settlement certificate (Pass) for our Church property. By the time the congregation realized it, it was already too late, leaving everyone deeply saddened and dismayed.' The second account is the oral history handed down and currently documented by the Church. A new site had to be found. An application was submitted to the Revenue Department, and on May 23, 1975, a plot measuring approximately 6,500 sq. ft. under the Assam Rifles Camp land was granted. The congregation was thrilled; however, deeming this plot unsuitable for a church building, it was exchanged for Mr. Thlangtawna's land (where the present Church stands). Towards the end of 1975, the second Church building was constructed on this new site. It measured 18 ft in length and 14 ft in width, built with sawn timber, tiles, and corrugated iron sheets.

Instead of rebuilding completely, in April 1984, the building was extended forward by 6 feet along its length.

Third Church Building Construction:

As the Church membership continued to grow, rebuilding the Church became necessary once more. The early 1986 Church Board Committee resolved to reconstruct the building. On this occasion, each Board member pledged to supply one 5x5 inch square sawn wooden pillar, prepared in advance so they could be installed immediately when needed. The existing structure was not demolished all at once; rather, the new structure was gradually built around and over it. The construction was completed in 1990.

During this period, community labor drives (hnatlang) were frequently organized to collect and haul sawn timber for the construction.

Fourth Church Building Construction:

By the time 1998 arrived, a new Church building was required once again. Following a resolution by the Church Board on June 28, 1998, community labor drives were initiated, with the main congregation being called to work every Saturday. Efforts continued as best as possible, and the 6th Church Board resolution on January 26, 1999, noted that the Building Fund contained exactly Rs. 2,030/-. On September 11, 1999, the existing Church building was finally dismantled. For the next two months, the congregation gathered for worship services at the home of Evan. Ropianga. As soon as the new building became usable, the congregation moved back in November 1999, and on Saturday, February 30, 2002, Rev. Zalawma, District Superintendent, officially dedicated it.

By July 14, 2002, the Church building could no longer comfortably accommodate the growing congregation. On that same day, the Church Board Committee resolved that the building should be extended. Following Resolution No. 1 of the October 6, 2002 Church Board meeting, work commenced immediately using whatever funds were available. By the grace of God and the hard work of the congregation, the extension was completed in a short time.

Fifth Church Building Construction:

In 2005, plans were made to build a brand-new Church structure. Since construction was initiated without any initial capital, a comprehensive master plan could not be finalized right away, making structured planning quite difficult. Initially, work on this fifth construction project began incrementally with plans to build an RCC section at the rear. As work progressed, the vision expanded to build an entirely unified new structure step-by-step.

By 2009, the new structure reached a state where it could fully house the congregation. The old building (which had been built over without initial demolition) was then dismantled toward the end of the year. Subsequently, the congregation officially moved into the newly constructed Church in January 2010. While occupying the building, ongoing structural work and interior finishing were carried out progressively, prioritizing necessary interior decor, fixtures, and furnishings. On December 28, 2016, the dedication of the Church building was celebrated alongside the Diamond Jubilee Programme. This building remains in use today, measuring 58 ft in length, 30 ft in width, and rising three stories high. (Due to the sloped terrain, it is not a full three-story structure throughout; the lower half forms the lower floors, where the bottom level serves as the Kitchen, and the level directly above it serves as the Sunday School Hall). It includes a 18ft. x 30ft. Gallery. The interior sanctuary is designed to comfortably seat 300 to 350 people.

Additional Notes:

The current Church property was initially very small, barely able to fit a 20 ft. x 24 ft. structure. Therefore, concerted efforts were made through various means to expand the land. First, the land behind the Church belonging to Mr. Saihnawla was purchased for Rs. 10,000/-. Additionally, extending east along the length of the Church, the land belonging to Mrs. Biaktluangi was purchased on our behalf by the District Headquarters for Rs. 100,000/-. (Extending 5 ft from the front of the Church, widening slightly to 11 ft from the Church wall, and running straight down the slope at the rear). Obtaining the official LSC Pass for the Church property required immense effort and was far from easy. Rbt. H. Lalthanzama was entrusted by the Church to pursue the paperwork, and through his dedication and hard work, a clean and complete Land Pass was quickly secured.

Furthermore, to fund the Church construction, our local church took out financial loans. During these transactions, Elder F. Thangnghilhlova selflessly stepped forward to act as our Guarantor. We are deeply grateful for individuals who continuously sacrificed beyond what collective church labor could achieve. Below is the summary of our loan status:

NOTABLE EVENTS:

Establishment of a Daughter Local Church: As the year 1993 arrived, with church members scattered over greater distances and the former single locality dividing into new sectors—specifically with 'Ramthar' emerging as its own recognized locality—it was deemed appropriate to establish another local church back towards the Lunglawn area. A group of 11 members gathered at the residence of Mr. Rohmingliana and decided that branching out to form a new local church was the right course of action. Their decision was presented to the Church General Meeting on June 13, 1993, presided over by District Pastor Rev. PC. Lalrosanga, where it was unanimously approved. The newly formed church was named 'Lunglawn U.P.C.' In later years, however, they came to be popularly known as 'Lunglawn Zaia Veng.' The official date of this church planting is recognized as June 13, 1993.

Current Status:

Ramthar AOC Local currently has 292 members (as per the 2025 report). The active leadership includes 5 Elders, 1 Senior Elder, 1 License Holder, and 7 Committee Members (Rawngbawltu).

Local Church Leaders for 2025–2026:

• Chairman: Elder P. Lalsangliana
• Vice Chairman: Elder PC. Lalnundanga
• Secretary: Elder K. Lalhmunmawia
• Treasurer: Elder F. Thangnghilhlova
• Fin. Secretary: Rbt. V. Chuandailova
• Statistician: Rbt. K. Lalrinmawia