Four churches into two -- into one --a history of ecumenical unity!

The religious heritage of the UCC stems from the great traditions of the Protestant Reformation - Lutheran, Calvinist and Congregational. These traditions were brought to America by Protestants fleeing persecution in Europe.

German Reformed Church of the US - Followed Calvinist beliefs and traditions. 1725 - German immigrants established congregations in the US. 1793 - The Synod of the German Reformed Church in the US was formed. 1867 - The name "German" was dropped from the Synod title. Evangelical Synod in North America - Basically, followed Lutheran, Reformed and other beliefs. 1800s - German immigrants established churches in the Midwest. 1872 - Churches organized into the German Evangelical Synod of North America. 1927 - The name "German" was dropped from the Synod title. Evangelical and Reformed Church Stressing liberty of conscience, authority of the Scriptures and their common liberal German Protestant heritage, these churches united in 1934 to form the Evangelical and Reformed Church. Congregational Churches   Basically, followed Calvinist, Puritan and Congregational beliefs. 1620s - Puritans came to Massachusetts and united to begin North American Congregationalism. 1892 - Congregational Methodists joined. 1925 - Evangelical Protestants joined. 1927 - German Congregationalists joined. The Christian Churches   1794 - O'Kelly "Christians" group was formed. 1801 - First Free Christian Church in Vermont was organized. by 1850 - American Christian Convention of churches in the Northeast had formed. 1854 - Southern Christian Convention was formed. 1922 - The Christian Church was organized. Congregational Christian Churches Stressing congregational freedom and a continuing reformation, these churches united in 1931 to form the Congregational Christian Churches.

Evangelical and Reformed Church and Congregational Christian Churches were united in 1957 to form the United Church of Christ.