There is no single generalization of distributivity to semilattices. This paper investigates the class of mildly distributive semilattices, which lies between the two most commonly discussed classes in this area—weakly distributive semilattices and distributive semilattices. Particular attention is paid to describing and characterizing congruence distributive mildly distributive semilattices, in contrast to distributive semilattices, whose lattice of join partial congruences is badly behaved and which are difficult to describe.