Sacred Rebellion at the Congregational Library & Archives
From April 4, 2025 to September 10, 2026, The Congregational Library & Archives presented an in-person exhibition, Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts. The exhibition highlighted the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections.
By the time the war began, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that their cause was a morally justified, sacred rebellion. Through sermons, books, poems, songs, and letters, Congregationalists shared their stories, reflected on their moral obligations to each other, and debated questions of liberty and loyalty. But consensus was elusive, and implementation proved difficult and unsatisfactory to many, especially those on the margins.
These discussions shaped the legacy of Congregationalism and the way the Revolutionary War is remembered today, 250 years later.
Acknowledgements
About the Congregational Library & Archives
The Congregational Library & Archives is an independent research library. Established in 1853, the CLA’s mission is to foster a deeper understanding of the spiritual, intellectual, cultural, and civic dimensions of the Congregational story and its ongoing relevance in the twenty-first century. The library’s collection holds some 225,000 books, pamphlets, periodicals, and manuscripts, as well as a digital archive, which contains more than 130,000 images, many drawn from the New England’s Hidden Histories project. Throughout the year, the Congregational Library & Archives is a thriving research center and offers educational programs and fellowships for students, scholars, churches, and anyone interested in Congregationalism’s influence on the American story.
Exhibition Credits
Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts was curated by Tricia Peone and written by Tricia Peone and Kyle Roberts. The exhibition was designed and built by Joy Feasley, Shan Ross, and Scott Currie. Graphics for the exhibition were created by Barb Barnett Graphic Design LLC. Lauren Hibbert designed the exhibition’s promotional and informational materials.
