Messiah Lutheran Church was formed in March of 1973.  Messiah is the result of a merger between two Washburn Churches.  Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded by Swedish settlers in the late 1800’s.  The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church was also founded in the late 1800’s.  After years of operating independently, the two churches proposed a merger.  After several years of discussion, the two churches finally completed the merger in March of 1973.  The new church was named Messiah Lutheran.  Messiah now has over 200 members.