[2] Because of their remoteness and the few European presence, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands were ignored by Christian missions until the latter half of the 19th century.
The Protestant converts were served by pastors from Hawaii, Samoa and Tuvalu until the early 20th century, after which Tuvaluans and I-Kiribati, trained at Rongorongo, on Beru Atoll, took on this role.
The word "uniting" reflects that the church is now a union of several Protestant denominations in Kiribati, including Congregationalists, Evangelicals, Anglicans, and Presbyterians.
But 10,000 members, mainly Congregationalists, did not accept the move and recreated a separate Kiribati Protestant Church.
[1] The pastors for the KUC are trained at Tangintebu Theological College, which is owned by the church.