Congregational Christian Churches in Canada

The Congregational Christian Churches in Canada (or 4Cs) is an evangelical Protestant Christian denomination, headquartered in Simcoe, Ontario. It is a member of the World Evangelical Congregational Fellowship.

Organization and leadership

The name "congregational" generally describes its preferred organizational style, which promotes local church autonomy and ownership, while fostering fellowship and accountability between churches at the national level.

The 4Cs is led by a National Board of Directors, representing different areas of the country and coordinated by the Chairman and the National Pastor who give spiritual oversight to the broader Church. The denomination meets annually at a National Conference, which confirms a new location (West, Maritimes or Central Canada) for the following year.

Historical roots

The roots of Congregational Christianity can be traced back to the Protestant Reformation in England. Congregational Churches were established in the New World by non-Conformist Christians, some of these arriving (in what would become Canada) out of roots in New England. The revivals of the Great Awakening significantly contributed to the spread of congregational style and ministry all over the North American continent. Globally, Congregational ministry and missionaries spread to places like Hawaii and much of the south Pacific.

Canadian hiatus

As a name and evangelical movement in Canada, Congregationalism was probably better known (and understood) in the 19th century, but many Congregational churches voted to join with Methodists and a majority of Presbyterians to form the United Church of Canada in 1925.