HISTORY OF COLLEGE VENG LOCAL

College Vêng Local UPC Church branched out from Vênglai Local on February 2, 1986. Prior to this, we fellowshiped at Vênglai Local, and our locality was not yet named College Vêng; it was called Bazar-II.

HOW THE INITIATIVE TO ESTABLISH THE CHURCH STARTED:
In Bazar-II (now College Vêng), three churches - UPC, Seventh-day Adventist, and Salvation Army - did not have church buildings, so we were scattered in other localities like Vênglai and Chanmari. We of the UPC Church fellowshiped in Vênglai. After fellowshiping together for some time, the desire to branch out independently arose. Prior to officially separating from Vênglai, almost nine (9) committee meetings were held under the name Bazar-II UPC. On the evening of January 24, 1985 (Thursday), 22 members gathered and elected interim church leaders (Acting Leaders) as follows: Acting Chairman: Elder PC. Biakmawia, Acting Secretary: Elder H. Hrângmuana, Acting Treasurer: Elder PC. Ngûrtâwna.

HOW WE ACQUIRED THE CHURCH LAND:
To quote the writing of Elder H. Hrangmuana regarding the acquisition of the church land: "We held a Church Board Committee (Acting Committee), and said, 'Let us apply for a church land as UPC Bazar-II; if we do not have a church building, the church will disband.' So we prepared the application for the church land. Fortunately, it was during the visit of Pu Lalhmingthanga, Revenue Minister (PC Minister). Elder PC. Biakmawia and I went to his residence to ask for a recommendation, and he kindly recommended us, which made us very happy. We also requested a recommendation from VCP Pu K. Biaksânga, but he said, 'A road will pass through the land you are applying for, so I cannot recommend you.' We then submitted it to the Revenue Office in Lunglei. Pu Vannâwla C.A. said, 'Your application for the church land has reached Revenue Aizawl; you might get it, or you might not. The reason is that your application only has Minister Lalhmingthanga's recommendation and lacks your locality VC's recommendation. Pu Thangzâwna of Chhipphir village also applied, and besides Pu Hminga's recommendation, he has your locality VCP's recommendation, so you might lose out.' Two weeks later, hearing that we did not get it and that Pu Thangzâwna of Chhipphir got it was very heartbreaking. After the government changed, the church land was applied for again. God gave it to us through Congress Minister Pu Vaivênga, who held the Revenue portfolio, and we were so thankful! Praise the Lord. The date we received the church land was January 16, 1985, which was also the date we submitted our application.

Having acquired the church land, the first voluntary labor (hnatlâng) to dig the land began on February 6, 1985, with 17 people (The volunteers were – Pathiauva, H. Hrângmuana, PC. Biakmawia, PC. Ngûrtâwna, Rualthankhûma, PC. Vanlalsâwma, Tv. Lalhmingthanga, Vanlalruati, P. Vankûngi, Bualchhûngi, Chalkhawli, Nuthangi, Nunthari, Nuntluangi, Muantei (Lalmuansangi), Chuaubuangi, and Lalrinzuali.) Afterwards, we dug on non-service nights using Petromax lamps. We were enthusiastic and finished digging quickly, and wanted to build right away. Since we were short on funds, we held an Acting Church Board Committee; our church land was on the lower side of the main road. We suggested, 'Let us divide the lower road land into two plots and sell them.' Two people from Haulawng village bought them.

With that money, we ordered loads of sawn timber. Before we could build, Pu Lalmawia of Haulawng village, who bought the land above our church plot, insisted on having a 'Pata' (Land Lease). We went to the Revenue Office. Officer Pu Kapliana said, 'I granted it to you strictly for church construction; we do not allow selling it, we will cancel it.' I said, 'Sir, we are not selling everything; we have already dug a wide level ground for the church. The church land extends far down the steep slope. We are poor and cannot build solely on offerings, so please understand us.' Pu Kapliana then said, 'We do not permit residential houses right next to the church; hearing noise from residential houses in church is not good.' I replied, 'Sir, that area is only suitable for taking a loan; it is not suitable for constructing houses, it is too steep.' He granted my plea. Then, we requested permission to branch out from Venglai where we fellowshiped. Since we were under a separate VC area, they reluctantly granted us permission."

BIRTH OF COLLEGE VENG (BAZAR-II) CHURCH:
Once the church land was acquired, a Bazar-II UPC Joint Committee was held on January 21, 1986, where 21 members from the Main Church, LAD, and PYD gathered and resolved to branch out. On Sunday morning, February 2, 1986, at 10:00 AM, the first separate worship service was held, and College Veng (Bazar-II) UPC Church was born. From January 30, 1989, the locality name was changed to College Veng, and from then on, it has been called 'College Veng UPC Church'. This first worship service on February 2, 1986 (Sun) was held at the Government Primary School, and under the leadership of the first Pukpui Section Pastor Rev. P. Rodawla, Lunglei District Pastor Rev. HL. Ruata formally inaugurated it. From the evening of February 2, 1986 (Sun), services were continued in the basement of Bro. Lalbedinga's newly built house, which they had not even moved into yet.

The first Bazar-II Local church building since branching out was completed through seven voluntary labor days between March 8, 1986, and April 1986, measuring 36 feet in length and 24 feet in width. On February 18, 1987, Rev. Zalawma inaugurated it. (Our church building in 2021 measures 78 feet in length and 30 feet in width). The first Church Board Committee after branching out was held on February 3, 1986, consisting of seven (7) members: Elder Pathiauva, Elder PC. Biakmawia, Elder H. Hrangmuana, Elder Zanghinga, Elder PC. Ngurtawna, Bro. PC. Vanlalsawma, and Bro. Rualthankhuma. The following day, February 4, 1986, under the leadership of Section Pastor Rev. P. Rodawla, the church was formally and properly organized.

EARLY LEADERS :
Main Church : Chairman : Elder PC. Biakmawia
Secretary : Elder H. Hrangmuana
Treasurer : Elder PC. Ngurtawna

Missions Department : Director : Elder Zanghinga
Secretary/Treasurer : Pc. Vanlalsawma

Sunday School Dept. : Superintendent : Elder Pathiauva
Secretary/Treasurer : RT. Rozawna

LAD : President : Zasuaki
Secretary : R. Kawlhnuni
Treasurer : C. Chalnghaki

PYD : President : PC. Rokima
Secretary : RT. Rozawna
Treasurer : Biaksangi

Present Status : College Veng Local currently has 422 members (2025 report). There are 7 Elders, 2 License Holders, 5 Church Workers, and 3 Sr. Elders. Pastor Rev. Jerry Lalmuanawma comes from this Local. There are 116 LAD members, 157 PYD members, 77 PCD members, and 33 PMD members.

2025-2026 Local Leaders: Chairman : Elder V. Lalsiama
Vice President : Elder Lallawmawma
Secretary : Evan. R. Lalnunthara
Asst. Secretary : C.W. PC. Lalhnehzova
Treasurer : Elder V. Zothanga
Fin. Secretary : Elder H. Lalrohlua
Statistician : Elder C. Vanlalsanga