Sept 15, 1799. A Sunday School was established by Samuel Slater, the first one in the United States. It was started for the benefit of children employed in Slater’s cotton factory in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, teaching them to read from the Bible. The first class was composed of seven boys. It began as a secular enterprise, but soon was placed under the care of the First Baptist Church, and began religious instruction. ABHS has minutes from many Sunday School (or Sabbath School) societies from all over the country.