SAVOY DECLARATION

statement of faith prepared in 1658 by a conference of English Congregationalists who met at Savoy Palace, London. The declaration consisted of three parts: a preface, a confession of faith, and a platform of discipline. In matters of doctrine it was primarily a restatement (with some modifications) of the Presbyterian Westminster Confession (1646), but in the declaration concerning church government it advocated the autonomy of each local church. As with other statements of faith prepared by Congregationalist conventions, it was considered to be a presentation of beliefs shared by the church membership and was not treated as doctrinal law.