Congregational Union of New Zealand
The Congregational Union of New Zealand was founded in 1841 by Pastor Barzillai Quaife, a Maóri missionary. Rev. Jonas Woodward was a leading figure in the denomination; he founded the Congregational church in Wellington in 1842. The congregational church in Auckland was formed in 1851, the copngregational churches in Dunedin and Christchurch were formed in 1862 and 1894. Work progressed slowly, 40 years later it had only 12 ministers in New Zealand. Officially it was formed in 1887. In 1890s women were admitted to the Assembly as full members. In 1920 church union with the Presbyterian church was initiated, but declined until the Methodist church could join. In 1947 it accepted responsibility the Former London Missionary Society churches in the Pacific islands in Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue. In 1963 the Pacific Island Congregational Churches split. The majotity of the denomination merged with the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.[1] The minority remain independent. In 2004 it had 850 members and 15 congregations and 15 house fellowships.[2]
It is a member of the World Evangelical Congregational Fellowship.[3][4]
External links
- Official website [2]
