Because they respected learning and felt the need to have educated ministers, the early New England Congregationalists founded the first colleges and universities in our country, including Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Williams, Bowdoin, Middlebury and Amherst.

The Congregationalists who founded these and many other institutions took care to make them self-perpetuating colleges with their own boards of trustees, not church-sponsored institutions like their English counterparts.

Today, there are no strictly Congregational Christian colleges or seminaries. Those called to ministry in the Congregational Way study at many institutions, including those sponsored by other denominations. They can also benefit from specials study programs under the aegis of the Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies, a division of the NACCC.

Piedmont College Demorest, Georgia The Judeo-Christian tradition comprises the humane values upon which Western Civilization is based. It promotes concern for others and the acceptance for individual responsibility that are essential for ethical conduct and citizenship. Through fostering understanding and acceptance of this tradition, Piedmont College strives to further develop the individual's personal growth through self-understanding and the ability to lead and work effectively with others.

Olivet College Olivet, Michigan Olivet College is a private liberal arts college located in south-central lower Michigan. The college was the first in the country by charter to accept women and person of color. Its more than 900 students participate in a unique educational experience known as the Olivet Plan. As part of of this effort, students are engaged in both classroom and practical programs incorporating real world experiences with lectures and service learning. The College's commitment to providing access to a comprehensive and diverse learning environment is reflected in all aspects of the Olivet Plan. The aspirations of Olivet College are advanced in the College's vision: education for individual and social responsibility.