Aspects of Congregationalism in South-Eastern Australia, circa 1880 to 1930

Abstract

The Congregational churches in south-eastern Australia between 1880 and 1930 were institutions under stress. From about 1890 the number of Congregational adherents decreased, largely in consequence of weak denominational attachment and a failure to build new churches in rapidly-growing districts. The doctrinal consensus which had characterized the denomination in the 1870's disintegrated. This change in turn accelerated the slackening of church involvement, which accompanied a revolt against many of the values propagated by the Evangelical Revival. Congregational leaders, responding to these problems, made only minor adjustments. And yet most of the churches survived. By the 1920's it was clear that, although most Congregationalists wanted a very loose relationship with their churches they were not prepared to do without them altogether.