The Congregationalist was first published May 25, 1849, as a weekly newspaper with the Rev. Edward Beecher as senior editor, assisted by the Revs. Joseph Haven Jr. and Increase N. Tarbox. It was a strong voice on religious and social issues, including the drive to abolish slavery.

Over the next century, the periodical underwent a number of changes, reflecting the changing profile of American Congregationalism itself, and ceased publication in 1935.

In 1958, The Congregationalist was re-established by the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, under the editorship of the Rev. Joseph J. Russell.  It has been published continuously since then at varying frequencies of publication.

The  Congregationalist at present is a quarterly magazine, edited by Larry F. Sommers of Heritage Congregational Christian Church, Madison, Wis.