Plan of Union of 1801

The Plan of Union of 1801 was an agreement between the Congregational churches of New England and the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, aimed at mutual support and joint efforts in evangelizing the American frontier. It lasted until 1852. Prior to 1801, Congregationalists and Presbyterians shared a Calvinistic theology but differed in church polity, with Congregationalists following the Savoy Declaration and Presbyterians adhering to the Westminster Standards. Friendly relationships existed between the two denominations since colonial times, with some Puritan congregations adopting Presbyterian governance. The Plan of Union was initially agreed upon by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church and the Connecticut General Association of Congregational Churches, later approved by other Congregational associations in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. It allowed churches from either denomination to hire ministers from the other and permitted congregations to choose between Congregational or Presbyterian governance. The Middle Association of Congregationalists in New York became subordinate to the Presbyterian Synod of Albany under this plan. In 1826, the Presbyterian General Assembly recognized the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) as its missions agency, leading to a majority of board members and missionaries becoming Presbyterians by 1831. This resulted in most churches established by the ABCFM during that period being Presbyterian. The Plan of Union ended due to the Old School-New School Controversy within the Presbyterian Church in 1837, which split the denomination. The Old School faction ended cooperation with Congregationalists in 1837, while the New School continued until 1852, ...