Main Entry:

con·gre·ga·tion·al

Pronunciation:

\-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\

Function:

adjective

Date:

1639

1: of or relating to a congregation2capitalized : of or relating to a body of Protestant churches deriving from the English Independents of the 17th century and affirming the essential importance and the autonomy of the local congregation3: of or relating to church government placing final authority in the assembly of the local congregation

— con·gre·ga·tion·al·ism \-shnə-ˌli-zəm, -shə-nə-ˌli-\ noun often capitalized

— con·gre·ga·tion·al·ist \-shnə-list, -shə-nə-list\ noun or adjective often capitalized