James Madison, Introducing the Bill of Rights

"[The] civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner or on any pretext infringed."

James Madison, introducing the Bill of Rights at the First Federal Congress, Congressional Register, June 8, 1789

Library of Congress Exhibition
The Bill of Rights at the National Archives