The United Church in Papua New Guinea (UCPNG) is one of the country’s largest Christian denominations, formed in 1968 through the union of several Protestant traditions, including the Methodist Church, London Missionary Society (Congregationalists), and the Presbyterian Church. Rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the church is committed to serving God and the people of Papua New Guinea (PNG) through worship, education, health services, and community development.
With congregations across the nation, UCPNG embraces the diversity of Papua New Guinea’s cultures while uniting believers in faith, fellowship, and mission. The church continues to play a vital role in spiritual guidance, social transformation, and nation building.
The United Church in Papua New Guinea (UCPNG) was officially established in 1968, bringing together the Methodist Church of Australasia, the London Missionary Society (Congregationalists), and the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. This union created a strong, unified Protestant witness in the country, founded on the principles of faith, fellowship, and mission.
The church’s roots stretch back to the early missionary work of the 19th century, when missionaries first arrived to share the Gospel, established schools, and provide health services. Over time, the Christian faith became deeply woven into the lives and cultures of many Papua New Guineans.
Today, UCPNG remains one of the largest denominations in the nation, with congregations across provinces.
It continues to play a vital role in spiritual growth, education, healthcare, and community development, working to strengthen both faith and nationhood.
The United Church in Papua New Guinea (UCPNG) has a membership of six hundred thousand (600,000), organised into two thousand seven hundred (2,700) Congregations, two hundred and sixty (260) Circuits, and elven (11) Regions.
There are seven hundred (700) ordained ministers, eleven (11) Regional Bishops, and one thousand six hundred (1,600) lay pastors.
The Church has one (1) Theological College, one (1) Lay Leaders Training College, one (1) Teachers College, and five (5) Regional Pastors and Bible Colleges.
There are six (6) provincial high schools, four hundred (400) primary and community schools, three (3) vocational schools, and many more elementary schools.
In health services, there are twenty-nine (29) Health Centres, thirty-one (31) aid posts, one (1) Community Health Worker training school, and one (1) Nursing School in partnership with the GoPNG, Catholic, and Anglican agencies on Milne Bay Province.
The pastoral and administrative work of the UCPNG is divided into eleven (11) regions: Bougainville Region, East Central Papua Region, Hela Region, Highlands Region, New Britain Region, Niu Ailan Region, Papuan Gulf Region, Papuan Islands Region, Urban Region, West Central Papua Region, and Western Region.