Our History

This association was organized in 1955 by a group of churches desiring to preserve historic Congregational forms of freedom and fellowship the Congregational Way. With 387 churches and an estimated 100,000 members, it is the largest of several congregational bodies that did not participate in the merger of the General Council of Congregational Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church in the United Church of Christ in 1957.

The National Association brings local churches together for counsel, inspiration, and fellowship but still preserves the independence and autonomy of the local churches. Member churches are either established Congregational Christian churches of affiliated associations of local churches in sympathy with the purposes of the associations.

Conference Structure

A moderator presides over an anuual meeting of all the churches, and executive committee of 12, elected for four (4) years, acts for the association between meetings. Eight (8) commissions - Christian education, the minstry, publications, womens's work, world Christian relations, and spiritual resources - work under the direction of the executive committee. Four (4) divisions of the Corporation of the National Association provide a Missionary Society, a building and loan fund, Foundation for Theological Studies, and new church development.

A unique feature of the organization is found in its Referendum Council, which on call of 10 per cent of the churches and by a two-thirds vote may modify any action or proposal of any of the national bodies or officers of the associations.

There is no binding ecclesiastical authority and no required subscription to any creed or program. It does a widespread missionary work at home and overseas in the Philippines, Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, Hong Kong, Formosa, Greece, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Central America and South India. The Congregationalist, a denominational perodical founded in 1849, was revived in 1958 as the monthly journal of the association. The national offices are maintained in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

Executive Committee Officers

Moderator............................................................Rev. Larry Barrett

Vice Moderator............................................Elder Charles Harrison

Secretary..........................................................Sister Lorretta Maness

Asst. Secretary........................................................Sis

Treasurer................................................................Rev. Janer Beck

Financial Secretary............................................Elder Anthnoy Prince

Missionary President.....................................Min. Rhodie Jackson

YPSCE...................................................................Bro. Jordan Hicks

Field Worker.......................................................Rev. Flita English