Lars Svendsen Oftedal (27 December 1838 – 2 May 1900) was a Norwegian priest, social reformer, politician, and newspaper editor.

[1] He was born in Stavanger as the son of teacher Svend Oftedahl (1812–83) and Gunhild Ommundsdatter Stokke (1809–81).

Oftedal passed his examen artium in 1859 and entered Royal Frederick University in Christiania where he studied theology under Gisle Johnson (1822–1894).

His collection of psalms, Basunrøst og Harpetoner from 1870 was met with great popularity and was printed in 200,000 copies over the years.

[4] He bought the Storhaug farm Berge, renamed Emmaus, which was included in the group of institutions.

After a service in his church, he witnessed that he had lived in "immorality" and sought leave from his position.

After the scandal he continued his ministry activities, becoming principal of a new prayer house in Stavanger.