Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Wadena County Who were the first Norwegian settlers in Wadena County is not known. It is however certain that the oldest settlement is in the vicinity of Wadena City. The first to settle at Aldrich was Peter Thurstensen from Namsos, it was in 1887 when he settled here. Wadena Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation is the oldest in the county. It was established in 1878 by Pastor K. Bjørgo, belonging to The Norwegian Synod. Its church was built in 1883. Now there are 8 Norwegian congregations and 4 churches, 4 belong to The Lutheran Free Church, 2 to The Norwegian Synod and 2 to The United Church.