New York County, New York

Early Norwegian Presence in New York City

According to Nordiske Blade, Norwegian immigration to New York began during the 1840s. John Onson arrived in 1849, as did Mrs. Jeppesen, the mother of Mrs. Mariager. By 1865, Pastor Preutz estimated the Norwegian population of the New York area at approximately 3,000. Among the Norwegians associated with the city during this early period were the Riis firm; lawyer Reymert, an uncle of August Reymert; the florist Gabrielsen on Ninth Street; and the piano makers Narvesen and Ihlseng on Thirty-third Street. Ihlseng was the father of Professor Ihlseng of the Brooklyn Polytechnic.

Early Scandinavian Mission Work

Missionary activity among Scandinavians in New York City began as early as 1849, although no permanent congregation was established at that time. The work appears to have been directed particularly toward arriving immigrants. For this purpose, a vessel known as the Bethel Ship was obtained and moored at a pier on the New York side. The activity was conducted mainly by Swedes. In 1855–1856, Pastor Sinding also worked among the Scandinavians in the city, but he did not establish a permanent congregation.

Sources:

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