a. [f. prec. + -AL.]
1. Of or pertaining to a congregation. † a. Consisting of, of the nature of a congregation. Obs.
1639. [R. Mather], Ch. Govt. (1643), 10. They that are within the visible Church … must needs be members of some particular Congregation, because all visible churches are Congregationall.
1642. J. Ball, Answ. to Canne, ii. 67. Whether of the true Catholique Church, whereof every member is a living stone, elect and precious, or of the visible congregationall assembly, consisting of good and bad, sincere and hypocriticall professors.
b. Performed by a congregation of worshippers collectively.
1860. L. L. Noble, After Icebergs, 27 June. We heard practical sermons and fine congregational singing.
1881. Monier-Williams, in 19th Cent., 512. Visiting the temples; not, however, for common prayer and congregational worship, which are … unknown among the Pārsīs.
c. Connected with a particular congregation of worshippers as distinguished from the parish church.
1882. Sat. Rev., 11 March, 295/2. The parochial system does … continue to exist … yet the personal worship of individual Churchmen has for many years been largely congregational.
2. Of or belonging to the congregation as the lowest organized unit in the Presbyterian system.
1644. Resolut. Ho. Comm., 23 Jan. That the church be governed by Congregational, Classical, and Synodical assemblies.
1644. Baillie, Lett. & Jrnls. (1841), II. 205. In the presence and with the consent … of the presbyterie congregationall.
1647. (title) An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for dividing and settling the severall Counties of this kingdome into Classicall Presbyteries and Congregational Elderships.
1649–50. Sir C. Sadler, Last Will & Test. of Earl Pembroke, in Somers, Tracts (1812), VII. 91. Item. I give back to the Assembly of Divines their classical, provincial, congregational, national; which words I have kept at my own charge above seven years, but plainly find they will never come to good.
3. (with capital C.) [cf. CONGREGATION 6 b.] Of or pertaining to the form of ecclesiastical polity called CONGREGATIONALISM; adhering to this polity; Independent.
After the 17th c., Independent was chiefly used in England, while Congregational was decidedly preferred in New England, where the ‘consociation’ of churches formed a more important feature of the system (see that word); in the 19th c. the latter name has also prevailed in Great Britain.
[1639. see 1.]
1642. T. Lechford, Pl. Dealing or News fr. New Eng., 79. The Congregationall independent government, whereof I have had some experience.
1643. W. L., Bramble Berry, title-p. Whether the Congregationall Assemblies in England be true Churches of Jesus Christ, yea or no?
a. 1647. T. Hooker, Ch. Discipl., Pref. A Church Congregationall is the first subject of the Keys.
1647. W. Bartlet (title), ἸΧΝΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ; or a modell of the Primitive Congregational way.
1648. J. Cotton, Way of Congreg. Ch., I. iii. 1. Nor is Independency a fit name of the way of our Churches … If there must needs be some note of difference … to distinguish our way from a Nationall Church-way, I know none fitter, then to denominate theirs Classicall, and ours Congregationall.
1672. O. Heywood, Event-bk., 18 June. Our brethren of the congregational persuasion. Ibid., 16 July. The congregational men amongst us have desired to sit down with us at the Lord’s supper.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., II. 358. Samuel Mather … a congregational man … yet he was civil to those of the Episcopal persuasion.
1755. Johnson, Congregational is a word used of such Christians as hold every congregation to be a separate and independent church.
1765. T. Hutchinson, Hist. Col. Mass., iv. 432. A congregational church … consisted of a company of saints.
1836. H. Rogers, J. Howe, iv. (1863), 90, note. The congregational brethren met at the Savoy (Sept. 29, 1658), and drew up a confession of faith.
1878. Congregational Year Book (Appendix). Declaration of the Faith, Church Order, and Discipline of the Congregational or Independent Dissenters, adopted at the Annual Meeting of the Congregational Union [of England and Wales], May, 1833 (The Union was formed 13 May 1831.)
4. Of or pertaining to a congregation of cardinals.
1662. J. Bargrave, Pope Alex. VII. (1867), 25. At a congregational meeting he was for the reception of the Portugall embassador.
† B. sb. A Congregationalist. Obs.
1653. R. Bailie, Disswasive Vind. (1655), 11. Independents are unfitly styled Congregationals.
