Changes

Separatists believed that church membership was reserved exclusively for convinced believers in Jesus Christ, and that God had given each congregation the authority to determine who might participate in its sacraments and enjoin in its rites and ministries. The [[Pilgrims]] who came to America in 1620 were Separatists.

Separatists believed that church membership was reserved exclusively for convinced believers in Jesus Christ, and that God had given each congregation the authority to determine who might participate in its sacraments and enjoin in its rites and ministries. The [[Pilgrims]] who came to America in 1620 were Separatists.

By the end of the 17th century in America, the Puritans in Massachusetts Bay Colony had effectively created a separate Protestant denomination, the Congregationalists. Congregationalism remained the dominant religious force in [[New England]] until the middle of the 19th century, It was the established, state-supported church in [[Connecticut]] until 1818 and in [[Massachusetts]] until 1833.  

By the end of the 17th century in America, the Puritans in Massachusetts Bay Colony had effectively created a separate Protestant denomination, the Congregationalists. Congregationalism remained the dominant religious force in [[New England]] until the middle of the 19th century. It was the established, state-supported church in [[Connecticut]] until 1818 and in [[Massachusetts]] until 1833.  

Prominent Congregationalist ministers included [[Jonathan Edwards]] and [[Lyman Beecher]].

Prominent Congregationalist ministers included [[Jonathan Edwards]] and [[Lyman Beecher]].

In 1957 the Congregational Christian Churches united with the [[Evangelical and Reformed Church]] to become the [[United Church of Christ]].

In 1957 the Congregational Christian Churches united with the [[Evangelical and Reformed Church]] to become the [[United Church of Christ]].