congregationalism

[ kong-gri-gey-shuh-nl-iz-uh m ]
/ ˌkɒŋ grɪˈgeɪ ʃə nlˌɪz əm /

noun

a form of Protestant church government in which each local religious society is independent and self-governing.
(initial capital letter) the system of government and doctrine of Congregational churches.

Origin of congregationalism

First recorded in 1640–50; congregational + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM congregationalism

con·gre·ga·tion·al·ist, noun, adjective

Words nearby congregationalism

congregate, congregate housing, congregation, congregational, congregational church, congregationalism, congregationalists, congress, congress boot, congress of industrial organizations, congress of vienna

Example sentences from the Web for congregationalists

British Dictionary definitions for congregationalists

Congregationalism
/ (ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃənəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

a system of Christian doctrines and ecclesiastical government in which each congregation is self-governing and maintains bonds of faith with other similar local congregations

Derived forms of Congregationalism

Congregationalist, adjective, noun

Cultural definitions for congregationalists

Congregationalists

A Protestant denomination that has roots in the Nonconformists of England. The Congregationalists are much like the Methodists in their teachings. They consider the individual congregation the basic unit of their church, and they practice baptism of infants. Most Congregationalists in the United States belong to the United Church of Christ.