Bendik Gunnarson Bondahl, ordained in 1901. United (Lutheran) Church 1901-1908

Born in Fyresdal, Upper Telemark west, Kristiansand, Dec 4, 1868.  He was the son of Gunnar B. and Aashild (born Taraldlie).

He was a seminary student at Kviteseid Seminary in Telemark from 1885-1887.

He immigrated in 1890 and attended Concordia College from 1891-1893 and the United Church Seminary from 1893-1900.

Pastor at Racine WI, 1901-1904; Glyndon MN 1904-1908; Editor, "Seminariet", Chairman of the Norwegian Society, 1903-1908.

He died on August 9, 1908.

Married Gudrun Kirkeberg in 1902.

From "Norsk Lutherske Prester i America" (Norwegian Lutheran Pastors in America)

by O M Norlie
©1915

Pastor Bondahl was the president of the Norwegian Society of America in Minneapolis. This organization, founded in 1903, was ambitious in its agenda but failed to attract a large membership. Norwegian-Americans celebrated the cultures of their local areas, or "bygde." Bondahl called for a Telemark County "bygdelag" in 1905.  When Telelag, the organization of immigrants and descendants of immigrants from Telemark County, Norway was finally organized in 1907, Bondahl served as its first president.  He is buried in Concordia Cemetery.

On Sunday, July 17, 2011, members of Telelaget visited Concordia and paid tribute to Pastor Bondahl at a graveside service.

[Prev][Next]

Copyright 2022 Concordia Lutheran Church

6637 80th Avenue North     Glyndon MN  56547