The Congregational Sunday-School and Publishing Society developed from the union of two earlier organizations: The Massachusetts Sabbath-School Society, and the American Doctrinal Tract Society. The former society was established in 1832, published literature for use in Sunday schools, and raised money to support Sunday schools in the west. The Tract Society, established in 1829, published doctrinal tracts for distribution. It incorporated in 1850 as the Doctrinal Tract and Book Society and changed its name to the Congregational Board of Publication four years later.

These two organizations joined in 1868 to form the Congregational Sabbath-School and Publishing Society. Its purpose was to "explain...and support the Congregational faith and polity" and to promote Sabbath-school organization and education. In 1870, the name changed to the Congregational Publishing Society. The missionary side of the operation was transferred to the American Home Missionary Society in 1873, but returned in May 1882 when the Publishing Society began failing financially. The name changed again a year later, back to Congregational Sunday-School and Publishing Society.

The Society gave literature to all Congregational Sunday schools and, on a limited basis, to colleges connected with the American Education Society, and to needy pastors. They published works in European languages, issued the Pilgrim Missionary, and provided "lesson helps" for teachers. The Pilgrim Press became the publishing arm of the Society in the 1890s. The Pilgrim Press and United Church Resources continues to be the United Church's publishing arm under the Local Church Ministries.