Vikur church in Mountain, ND. Photo J.Th
Rev. Kristinn K. Olafsson grew up in the young Icelandic community in Gardar, N. Dakota where he received the little education offered. In her work, Well Connected Patricia Allred wrote on his education, service to numerous congregations, both Icelandic and N. American in his life as well as his contributions to various Icelandic magazines as well as periodicals in North America:
“He was educated at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and at the Lutheran Seminary in Chicago. In 1904 he became minister at Gardar, North Dakota and remained there until 1912. He was then at Mountain, N. D. until 1925 when he took charge of the Icelandic church in the Argyle community in Manitoba. From 1930 to 1942 he was in Seattle, Wash., on the faculty of the Lutheran seminary there. He served as president of the Icelandic Lutheran Church from 1923 to 1942, and was editor of their periodical. In 1942 he moved to Chicago and served as pastor at Mt. Carrol, Ill. and from 1949 to 1954 in Sharon, Wisconsin. Rev. Kristinn was awarded the Order of the Falcon from Iceland in 1929. He was also a frequent contributor to many Icelandic periodicals, and author of several books.”
English version by Thor group.