Slatersville in North Smithfield in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Work, Pray, Play
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
| — | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | — |
For about one hundred and fifty years, workers crossed this church common most mornings on their way to the mill. Six days a week, they returned to their homes throughout Slatersville at dusk, likely weary from hours of repetitive work.
Sunday was a well-earned day of rest. Most workers spent the morning at the company-built Congregational Church you see at the end of the common. There were also company-sponsored activities such as baseball and social activities to help fill the workers' limited free time. Other pastimes included berry picking in summer and ice skating in winter.
By design, mill owners sought to provide working families with room to pray and play. In return for this stability, many families gave generations of service to the mill.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Religion & Religious Structures • Sports.
Location. 42° 0.059′ N, 71° 34.686′ W. Marker is in North Smithfield, Rhode
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Regionally, this marker is in the Blackstone Valley and in Greater Providence. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: North Smithfield Veterans Monument (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Commercial Blocks (about 500 feet away); In Honor of WWII Veterans (approx. half a mile away); James S. Slater Memorial Park (approx. half a mile away); North Smithfield Vietnam War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Blackstone Canal (approx. 1.7 miles away
Also see . . . Our History page on the site for Slatersville Congregational Church.
The church history of Slatersville Congregational Church, a UCC church, has a strong foundation. Begun in 1808, ours is the oldest Sunday School in the country. Our congregation was established in 1816 and is now housed in a beautiful building that was completed in 1838. A neighboring congregation, Globe Church, joined our congregation in 1974, and in 1988 a multi-use hall was added to the church building and was named “Globe Hall.”(Submitted on September 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 19, 2026
3. Slatersville Congregational Church
Today, the church is a part of the United Church of Christ.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
