0 a section of the Protestant Christian Church that was formed in the 17th century, believing that each church should organize and govern itself, rather than being under the authority of a bishop or other church official:
In the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Congregationalism was the established religion.
Congregationalism emphasizes the right and responsibility of each congregation to determine its affairs, eliminating the authority of bishops.
He was thrilled to come across the sermon notebook of John Cotton, the father of American Congregationalism.
His own Bible study apparently led him to reject the Reformed Church and embrace Congregationalism.
Australian Congregationalism was robustly evangelical, scriptural and proud of its affinity with the obstinate Puritan dissidents of earlier centuries.
He argues that this is not Anglicanism but a form of congregationalism, inimical to the traditional authority of bishops.
