Pettigrew’s evangelistic work among the Meitei people in Manipur caused difficulties because of the sensitive political situation there and the more political extreme Hindus complained that he was trying to impose Christianity upon the state. The British authorities withdrew their support and his Arthington Mission sponsors proved unwilling to help him in establishing a mission station. Not wanting to return to England, he applied for membership to the American Baptist Missionary Union in Assam and, after becoming a Baptist, was designated as a Baptist missionary to Manipur. He went on to establish other mission schools within the Ukhrul District.