A past that inspires

The Congregational Federation was formed in 1972, but our story goes back much further, at least to Elizabethan England. Independent churches were formed during the Civil Wars from 1642 onwards and, when in 1662 the English parliament tried to force all churches to worship the same way, those who refused became nonconformists. Such independent churches often became Congregational and our order and traditions developed.

This new form of church trusted the members of each community to be guided by shared faith and spiritual wisdom to govern themselves. By being accountable to God rather than any human hierarchy, they opened the door to the power of God’s Spirit. And history has shown that this was no small thing – Congregationalists have changed the world.

They helped abolish slavery, because they saw all people as called by God. They established major universities, because they saw education as a way to understand and live out scripture. They furthered a culture of civic responsibility, because they knew their faith was relevant to all aspects of life. And they were the first mainstream church to ordain women, to express the belief that we are all equal in Christ.