From Ohio History Central The Congregationalist Church is a
Protestant faith that originated during the 1500s. Like other
Protestant faiths, Congregationalism opposed many of the
teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. It also felt that the
Anglican Church, also known as the Church of England, was too
Catholic in its teachings. King Henry VIII of England formed the
Anglican Church during the early 1500s after the Catholic Pope
refused to grant the King an annulment from his first wife. In
response, Henry VIII formed his own church. Technically, the
Anglican Church was a Protestant Church since the Pope was not
in charge of it, but in reality, the general practices and
beliefs of the Catholic Church continued to exist in the
Anglican faith. Congregationalists rejected the hierarchy and
rigid practices of both the Catholics and the Anglicans. Rather
than following the dictates of a single human individual,
Congregationalists believe that Jesus Christ is the head of each
congregation. In England, Congregationali