Thenhlum village is located within Lunglei District, situated 109 km west of Lunglei. It is a geographically convenient location and suitable for procuring daily supplies. The current village site was established in 1989 as a new settlement, housing important government departments and serving as the site for the Kau Mini Hydel Project dam. Today, there are over 250 households. Various gospel preachers have frequently visited the church and village; here are some of the early pioneers who laid the groundwork:

1. Pi Thanthuami (native village unknown).
2. Pu J Thantluanga of Darngawn.
3. Pi Hniangdawhi of Thingsai.
4. Pu H. Tebawnga of Tualbung.
5. Pu Biakmawia of Rawpui; these individuals paved the way as pioneers. Though these valiant warriors for the Lord are no longer in this world, we, the members of Thenhlum Local UPC, will never forget them.

INITIATIVES TAKEN TO ESTABLISH THE CHURCH:

Pu T. Thantluanga and Pi Hniangdawhi, mentioned above, arrived together to preach and conduct ministry, staying at the residence of Pu C. Zahnuna (father of Sist. C. Lalbiaki). At that time, only the Mizoram Baptist Church existed, and there was virtually no place for other denominations. Hosting them often invited public criticism and resentment. However, by the Lord's unstoppable providence, both lodging and places to preach were fully arranged. They were invited to speak at the home of Pu Lalbuanga, Middle School Headmaster, where fellowship meetings were held. The first speaker here was Pi Hniangdawhi, who preached from Isaiah 2:1-3; the Lord richly blessed her message, bringing great joy to the listeners.

During this period, a revival move of the Holy Spirit occurred within the Baptist Church, but some church leaders dismissed it, refusing to acknowledge it as God's work. Nevertheless, a good number of believers were touched by the Holy Spirit, eventually feeling constrained and out of place in their existing church. Consequently, they held fellowship and Bible discussion sessions with visiting ministers during evenings and free hours, regularly gathering at Pu Zahnuna's home. Even after these evangelists departed, the Lord continued sending various ministers to this village. Thus, the revivalists decided to leave their church and establish the United Pentecostal Church. Amidst great opposition and ridicule, these families officially established the United Pentecostal Church on the hills of Thenhlum on January 3, 1963. These families were:

1. Pu Zahnuna and family
2. Pu Lalbuana and family
3. Pu Lalbuaia and family
4. Pu Zaiaithanga and family
5. Pu Lalthangvunga and family
6. Pi Siamliani and family
7. Pi Thanthuami
8. Pi Lalbani

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH & ACQUISITION/CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING:

Though they were only a few families, they desired separate worship services. On January 3, 1963, the first service was held at Pu Zahnuna's house, and Pastor Rotlaia descended from Lunglei to officially organize the church. Church leaders were also appointed immediately.

With the church established, the congregation felt that holding public worship continuously in a private home was inadequate, so they decided to build a church and petitioned the Village Council (VC) for land. Learning that the site of Pu Kila's old home in the old village was vacant, they requested it. The VC granted the land, and through community labor (hnatlang), they built a church. With sapling posts, thatched (Siallu) roofing, woven bamboo walls, and split bamboo benches, the church was erected. Without modern measuring tools, it measured approximately 5 fathoms (around 24 feet) in length and 3 fathoms (around 15 feet) in width. With a makeshift woven-bamboo pulpit, they joyously praised the Lord together. As time passed and the world modernized, the roof was replaced with corrugated iron sheets and the walls with tiles in 1994, having previously been built with bamboo matting. As years went by, plans were made to build a permanent structure, and in 2006, under the leadership of Pastor R. Vanlalenga, a new RCC church building measuring 60x30 feet was constructed, becoming one of the finest in the western region. Since its inception, the current building marks the eighth (8th) church structure built.

From the very first church building to the present one, church families and individuals have dedicated immense labor, time, and financial resources. The standing of a proper house of worship today is entirely due to God's blessings, as well as the unity, cooperation, and sacrifice of the congregation. The District Board provided the CGI sheets for the roof.

PAST AND PRESENT MAIN CHURCH LEADERS:

PAST AND PRESENT CHAIRMEN:

1. Bro. Lalbiaka
2. Elder Lalchhawna
3. Elder Vanlalthanga
4. Elder Liankunga
5. Elder Valliana
6. Elder Vanlalthanga
7. Elder Lalthuthlunga Sailo

PAST AND PRESENT SECRETARIES:

1. Elder Lalbuana
2. Elder Lalthangvunga Sailo
3. Bro. Lalremsanga Sailo
4. Elder H. Lalhuapzauva
5. Elder H. Lalchhuanawma
6. Elder Lalthuthlunga Sailo
7. Elder RL Ngaihzuala

PAST AND PRESENT TREASURERS:

1. Bro. C. Zahnuna
2. Elder Lalthangvunga Sailo
3. Elder R. Thangphunga
4. Elder H. Lalhuapzauva
5. Elder RL Ngaihzuala
6. Elder C. Lalhlupuia

PAST AND PRESENT VICE CHAIRMEN:

1. Elder Lalbuana
2. Elder Vanlalthanga
3. Elder Lalthangvunga Sailo
4. Elder Valliana
5. Evan Lalhmingliana Sailo

PAST AND PRESENT ASSISTANT SECRETARIES:

1. Bro. R. Ramdinmawia
2. Elder C. Lalhlupuia
3. Bro. Sangkima Sailo

PAST FINANCE SECRETARY:

1. Evan Lalhmingliana Sailo

PAST AND PRESENT TITHE TREASURERS:

1. Elder Lalthangvunga
2. Elder R. Thangphunga
3. Elder Lalthuthlunga Sailo
4. Elder H. Lalhuapzauva
5. Elder C. Lalhlupuia

PAST AND PRESENT HANDFUL OF RICE OFFERING (BUHFAITHAM) CUSTODIANS:

1. Sist. Lalbiakveli
2. Sist. NG. Lalhlimpuii
3. Sist. Biakliani

NOTABLE EVENTS IN THE CHURCH:

There are several notable events in the church's history; though we highlight only a few, which might seem trivial to some, they hold great significance for us. These include:

1. Throughout 2016 and 2017, by God's divine protection, no church member passed away.
2. On March 1.2013, the Church (Local) Golden Jubilee was celebrated with a grand feast, sponsored by Elder Denghnuna and family. A 40-copy Golden Jubilee Souvenir was also published.
3. On September 25, 1995, the UPC Church Golden Jubilee memorial stone was erected, and Elder Valliana's family donated a 6-sum pig for the feast in honor of the occasion.
4. Christmas of 1992 was the most joyful Christmas celebrated by the church community, where feasting started on Christmas Day and was repeated 12 times.