congregational church
A worship space used for services and religious ceremonies by a Congregationalist congregation.
A Congregational church is a space used for services, prayer, and religious ceremonies in Congregationalism, a religious movement which arose in Britain around the end of the 16th century in resistance to the conformity imposed by the anglican and presbyterian churches.
Congregationalists played a major role in the 17th century religious strife in England, and established themselves as a strong presence in America and other lands settled by religious nonconformists from Europe. They generally insist on the autonomous nature of each individual congregation, although individual churches may belong to various different Congregationalist organizations, including the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, and the United Church of Christ.
Local congregational autonomy is part of this religious tradition, and membership in a wider Congregationalist organization is compatible with it. An independently organized church in another tradition, such as a Baptist church, does not become Congregationalist solely through its local governance.
