A member of a congregational church; someone who believes in congregational governance where local churches govern themselves; relating to this belief system.
From congregation (Latin congregare 'to flock together') + -ist (suffix meaning follower or believer). Congregationalism developed as a Protestant movement.
Congregationalists split from traditional churches because they believed each local congregation should make its own decisions rather than follow a bishop or pope. This was radical in the 1500s and 1600s.
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