S8: Congregationalism: Colonial New England's Religion

Start date: June 04, 2026

Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Location: AU Kennedy 119

Category: WISE Class

Event Summary:

This is a three-week class that will meet on the Assumption campus; meeting dates are Thursday, June 4, June 11 and June 18 at 1 pm

Event Description


Class dates: Thursdays, June 4, 11 and 18 (3 weeks)

Class time: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Location: Assumption campus, Kennedy Hall Room 119

Did you ever wonder why there is a Congregational church in almost every New England city or town? Where did Congregationalism start? Why was it so pervasive throughout colonial New England? What is the theology of Congregationalism and how does it differ from other expressions of the Christian faith? Why do many Congregational churches go by the name of United Church of Christ? What is its form of church government and how does that differ from other Christian traditions? How did the form of church government of Congregationalism influence the American understanding of democracy including the writing of the Constitution of the United States?

These are some of the questions that will be explored in this course.

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Gary Shahinian has been an ordained Congregational minister for 30 years serving six different Congregational churches. He has also been a Professor of Theology and Philosophy at both Christian and state colleges. Dr. Shahinian possesses a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Free University of Amsterdam and three Master's degrees in Theology.