Ulrik Vilhelm Koren was born December 22, 1826 in Bergen, Norway, of Capt. Paul Shonevig Stub Koren and Henriette Christiane (Rulfs).  As a pioneer minister in American, he played a significant role in the development of the spiritual and intellectual development of Norwegians in America. He attended Bergan Cathedral School, 1840-44; 1844-52 theology graduate from the University of Christiania (Oslo), he married Else Elisabeth Hysing the next year and was called to the Little Iowa Congregation in America. Teacher at Nissen Latin School, Christiania, 1852-53. Ordained, 1853. Immigrated to the U.S. 1853. Pastor at Washington Prairie, 1853-1910. Teacher, Luther College, 1874-75. Held various offices in the Norwegion Synod.

The first Norwegian minister to settle west of the Mississippi, Koren’s pastorate included large parts of Northeastern Iowa and Southern Minnesota. He played an active part in the Norwegian Synod, holding various positions from secretary in 1855 to president of the synod in 1894 until his death in 1910.

U.V. Koren was also instrumental in purchasing the land and locating Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He was been described in the Luther College Semicentennial book as a man of “wide interests, excellent scholarship, and quiet dignity” and was rewarded in 1903 for these characteristics and other achievements with a doctorate of divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, and made a Commander of the Order of St. Olaf by the King of Norway. His prominent career ended with his death on December 19, 1910, three days short of his 84th birthday.

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Se også Washington Prairie Church. Koren ble født i Bergen. Han ble ordinert til prest og utvandra til Amerika i 1853. Samme år giftet han seg med Elisabeth Koren. Han var prest på Washington Prairie til sin død. Koren hadde stor innvirkning på etableringen av Luther College og hadde lederstillinger i Den norske synoden.