Multnomah County, Oregon

Norwegian Community in Portland

A considerable number of Norwegians lived in Portland, and many had arrived there relatively early.

Churches and Congregations

The first Norwegian Lutheran congregation in Portland was established in 1876 and was also the first Norwegian Lutheran congregation in the state of Oregon. Pastor Lauritz Carlson of the Norwegian Synod was its first pastor. The first Norwegian church building in Portland, and likewise the first Norwegian church in the state, was erected by a Methodist congregation in 1883. By 1905, Portland had four Norwegian congregations and four churches. Two belonged to the Methodist Church, one to the Norwegian Synod, and one to the United Church.

Public Office

Iver Fretland of Portland served as a member of the Oregon State Legislature.

Norwegian-American Press

Vidnesbyrdet and Pacific Skandinaven.

Sources:

[Ulvestad, Martin. Nordmændene i Amerika. Utg. History Book Company's Forlag. Minneapolis, Minn. 1907.]