A Brief History of the Phudmuri Presbyterian Church

Historical Background

The history of Phudmuri Presbyterian Church dates back to the years prior to 1902. Though not much is known about the early years except the presence of a primary school, it was assumed that the church began through the work of the members of the Mawlai Presbyterian Church.

In the book “Ka jingwan ka Gospel ha Mawlai bad ki thain jong ka” (The arrival of the Gospel in Mawlai and its environs) and according to the register of the Mawlai Church from the years 1902–1906, the number of Christians in Phudmuri was recorded as 64.

According to written records, the Mawlai Church elected its elders in the year 1907 and Bah Kongor Kumbit Kurbah from Phudmuri locality and Bah Thein Marbaniang from Umshing locality were among the elected. These two elders were ordained during the Shillong Presbytery held at Mylliem from 18th to 21st October 1907. The appointment of these elders prompted a shift in the mother church's perspective, leading them to recognize the need for a full-fledged Phudmuri Presbyterian Church in the coming years. Although some accounts suggest the church originated as early as 1908, official records state that the Phudmuri Presbyterian Church was formally established in 1929.

About Mawlai Township and Phudmuri

Mawlai is a township of Shillong and is one of the largest localities of the city. It is located on the northern fringe of the city. Today, its area stretches up to Umiam Lake to the north (a distance of about 10 km), and it runs approximately another seven kilometers from east to west and is bounded by river Umkhrah in the south and river Umiam in the west, while in the north, it borders with the Ri-Bhoi District.

Mawlai was first inhabited more than 200 years ago, making it one of the oldest localities of Shillong City. From a close-knit community of a small number of houses and inhabitants, Mawlai had now grown into a sprawling urban township comprising of 15 localities, each with a respective village council and headman. Etymology: the name Phudmuri is a portmanteau (a combination of two words) of a water course - Phud and the name of the person – Muri.

The Church After 1929

After achieving full-fledged status, the Phudmuri Presbyterian Church has operated under its founding Presbytery's supervision—hosting house fellowships, Sunday church services, and Sunday Schools. It also shared the responsibility for the Assembly General Meeting during the Gospel Centenary at Mawkhar Presbyterian Church in 1941, such that even during the outbreak of World War II, it did not disturb the believers to proclaim the Gospel.

The Church celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1979, hosted the KJP Synod General Meeting in 1981, and established an M.E. School in 1987. The present new Church building was inaugurated on the 13th May, 2001 and celebrated its Platinum Jubilee in 2004.

The Church's influence has expanded through the establishment of several sibling-churches, namely Umrynjah, Mawroh, Kynton Massar, and Umshing Mawkynroh Presbyterian Churches which now form the Phudmuri District under the Mawlai Presbytery and KJP Synod Sepngi. The Church is also still utilizing the old church building for weekdays services and Sunday School.