Congregationalism is a form of church organization in which each local church is independent. The concept derives from the belief that Jesus Christ is the sole head of his Church, and thus congregationalism mimics the original form of the church's organization.

In England, the Congregationalists were known as Separatists or Independents. They can be traced back to the sixteenth century followers of Robert Browne, who broke from the Anglican Church.

The Pilgrims who came to America in 1620 and settled in Plymouth Colony were Congregationalists, and the religion became widely established and blossomed in New England. As the country grew, Congregational churches were established in newly opened frontier regions, and were allowed freedom of worship. Theologically, they fall somewhere between Presbyterianism and the more radical Protestants. Emphasizing education, the Congregationalists played a significant role in founding the universities of Harvard (1636) and Yale (1701). The denomination maintains the right of each individual church to self-government and to its own statement of doctrine.

In its home country, England, Congregationalism has declined, but not as markedly in the United States. Even so, it has not expanded at the same rate as other religions. In 1931, Congregational churches were united with the Christian Church under the name General Council of the Congregational and Christian Churches of the United States. In 1957, many Congregational churches united with the Evangelical and Reformed Church to form the United Church of Christ.

Congregational philosophy, ideas, and practices have influenced many other churches and have been a major factor in shaping the institutions and general culture of the United States. There has always been a strong urging to preach the faith because the Word of God, as declared in the scriptures, has great importance to Congregationalists.

Baptism and the Lord's Supper are considered the only sacraments instituted by Christ. Infants are baptized by sprinkling, not immersion. The Lord's Supper is usually celebrated once or twice a month.