About Bergen Township

Bergen Township is located in the Northeast corner of McLeod County and is largely a farming community.

Bergen Township has rolling terrain with two major waterways: the south fork of the Crow River and Buffalo Creek. 

History

Rooted in Heritage. Built by Community.

Bergen Township, located in McLeod County, Minnesota, was formally established in 1859, making it one of the early townships in the region. The area was settled primarily by Norwegian immigrants, many of whom came from Bergen, Norway, and named their new township in honor of their homeland.

At the heart of early township life was a small settlement known as Brush Prairie, located near the geographic center of the township. Brush Prairie served as a vibrant local hub and included a general store, blacksmith shop, country school, church, post office, and the original town hall. It was a place where residents gathered, did business, attended school and worship, and participated in the democratic life of the township.

The first official township meeting was held on April 5, 1859, with 33 voters present. The early records show that one of the township’s main priorities from the beginning was the construction and maintenance of roads—a focus that remains important to this day. Bergen Township currently maintains approximately 34 miles of township roads that serve its rural community.

As the region developed and the railroad expanded, commerce began to shift away from Brush Prairie toward the growing town of Lester Prairie, where access to rail transport offered greater opportunities for trade and growth. By 1911, a new town hall was built at the current site, and the original Brush Prairie settlement gradually faded from daily use.

Today, Bergen Township remains a proud rural community that honors its Norwegian roots and the pioneering spirit of its early settlers. Governed by a local board of supervisors, clerk, and treasurer, the township is committed to transparency, stewardship of the land, and service to its residents. While times have changed, the core values of community, responsibility, and heritage continue to define Bergen Township.

Churches

Churches played a central role in Bergen’s history. Two prominent congregations were established in the township:

• Bergen Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church:
  Construction began in the early 1870s and the first church was dedicated in 1886. The building was destroyed by lightning and fire before 1896 but later rebuilt. This congregation helped preserve Norwegian traditions and spiritual life in the township.

• Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church (Brush Prairie):
  Built in 1873, this church served Swedish settlers in the area. The associated Brush Prairie Swedish Lutheran Cemetery still remains, with burials recorded between 1873 and 1961.

These institutions were not just places of worship — they were vital centers for community gathering, education, and mutual aid.