The Icelanders are Lutherans by faith and have been so since the Reformation was
introduced into Iceland in 1550. The first religious service in Akra Township in Pembina County was in Icelandic and conducted in the home of Butler Olson by Rev. Pall Thorlakson on December 5, 1878. At the time, he was the spiritual leader of the Icelandic pioneers and would remain so until his death on March 1, 1882.

The Vidalin Lutheran Church was built in 1888 though the congregation was formed
Two years earlier after a split between portions of the early Tongue River Congregation.
Prior to the building of the church, people met in homes and in a community hall
west of the current church site. Early Icelandic pastors who were involved in the
congregation were Rev. Páll Thorlakson, Rev. N.S. Thorlakson, Rev. F.J. Bergman,
Rev. Jonas A. Sigurdson and Rev. Hans Thorgrimsen. Since then, the congregation
has been served by many pastors including several who came from Iceland as late
as of 1980.

The church was remodeled in 1901; in 1960 an entry was added and bell tower
built. Later, the inside was restored to its previous condition and in the 1990s a new
foundation was constructed. More recently, shingles and windows have been replaced,
painting and carpeting completed, while several other projects are currently in progress.
For many years, as part of the Mountain Lutheran Parish, the congregation had a
large Sunday School, a church choir and an active Ladies Aid. Vidalin church was
also used by the Urland Evangelical Church congregation for Norwegian services
and as English became used for services, many members joined the Vidalin
Church congregation.

In 1984, Vidalin joined the newly formed Pembina Hills Evangelical Lutheran Church and is currently served by Pastor Jessica Merchant of PHELC and Crossroads Ministry for 3 services each year. It is also used for weddings, funerals and other events.

G B Gunlogson and his wife Esther, who donated the land for the Icelandic State
Park, are buried at Vidalin Cemetery along with many Icelandic and Norwegian
pioneers and their ancestors. The Vidalin Cemetery Association continues to work to preserve the church and cemetery with support from generous donors. Recent projects include work both inside and out to keep the church as a beautiful beacon on the prairie.