Messiah Lutheran Church in La Crescent, Minnesota began as an idea and hope in the mid-1980’s, that there would be a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod congregation in La Crescent. Through the efforts of Rev. Barrie Henke of Shepherd of the Hills in Onalaska, WI; Rev. Ronald Dommer, Rev. Kenneth Tatkenhorst, and DCO Bob Cloeter of St. Martin’s in Winona, MN; and a nucleus of five families from La Crescent, this idea and hope became a reality.
Messiah Lutheran Church had its first worship service on January 10, 1993 and was incorporated on December 8, 1993. It became a chartered congregation of the Minnesota South District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod on March 3, 1996. During this time, the congregation worshipped in the basement of the Knights of Columbus Hall led by Rev. Kenneth Tatkenhorst.
Messiah Lutheran Church has been served by four called pastors and several vacancy pastors. On July 7, 1996 Rev. Jose Flores was installed as the first pastor of Messiah Lutheran. He served until February of 2000. On March 10, 2002 Rev. Greg Hovland was installed as Messiahs’ second pastor. That same year, the congregation moved from the basement of the KC Hall to the Band and Choir Rooms at La Crescent High School. Also during this time, the congregation purchased the property from the Minnesota South District in the former apple orchard on the north end of town. Rev. Hovland served until November of 2008. On June 14, 2009 Rev. Matthew Lorfeld was installed as Messiahs third pastor. In 2010, the congregation broke ground for the first phase of their building. On March 6, 2011 the congregation moved into the current church building at 825 Jonathan Lane. Messiah became a dual parish with Grace of Stockton, MN in 2015. Rev. Lorfeld served until June 26, 2017. Rev. Mark Meier was installed as Messiahs fourth pastor on December 1, 2019.
As with every congregation, there have been triumphs and setbacks along the way. Two things remain the same: we are a congregation made up of sinners and we are continually dependent on the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our congregation has inherited a mission to build up and share our faith in the Way, the Truth, and the Life that outlasts all of the world’s struggles. We the Church serve where the Lord has placed us in the sure and certain hope of joining the chorus with angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven, the Church Triumphant when our Lord calls us home.