[kong-gri-gey-shuh-nl-iz-uh
m] 
| 1. | a form of Protestant church government in which each local religious society is independent and self-governing. |
| 2. | (initial capital letter) the system of government and doctrine of Congregational churches. |
A Protestant denomination that has roots in the Nonconformists of England. The Congregationalists are much like the Methodists in their teachings. They consider the individual congregation the basic unit of their church, and they practice baptism of infants. Most Congregationalists in the United States belong to the United Church of Christ.