JOWAI: The Wapung Presbyterian Church, which was founded in 1892, began its year-long quasquicentennial jubilee celebrations on Sunday on the church premises at Wapungskur in East Jaintia Hills.
The former moderator of the Shangpung Presbytery, Rev. HCT Sumer, and members of the church released 125 balloons into the sky and unfurled 125 flags of different colours to mark the beginning of the celebrations.
Church elder Tbn. Jerly Ryngkhlem narrated a short history of the church. He informed that Khroo Ryngkhlem and Ka Shong Rymbai were the first couple along with some others who converted into Christianity in 1892. The Church was known as Pamra Presbyterian Church till 1989.
Ryngkhlem said Mukoilara was the old village inhabited by residents of Wapungskur village during the early days of Christianity in the area. The residents were shifted to Wapungskur after Mukoilara was hit by an epidemic. The church was also shifted. It was rechristened Wapung Presbyterian Church in 1989 with approval from the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Synod.
The 125th year celebrations will culminate on December 17 this year with various religious activities like debate competition, Bible quiz and other cultural programmes.The choir group of the Ka Jingiaseng Samla CE Society Wapung Presbyterian Church presented gospel songs.
