The name, from the Swedish word ö, meaning island, indicates that the place was inhabited before the area became a part of mainland Gotland (through the process of post-glacial rebound), i.e. during the Iron Age, sometime between circa 500 BCE and 500 CE.

[1] As late as 1987, there were still fields in the area cultivated according to a system of land use which probably developed already then, or possibly even during the Bronze Age.

Scholars have concluded that the tower was built by a stonemason's workshop which is sometimes referred to by the notname Egypticus, which was also active at e.g. Grötlingbo and Hablingo churches, located elsewhere on Gotland.

[5] Externally, the church is noteworthy for its unusually well-preserved tower, complete with original gargoyles and gable decorations.

[1][2][4] It has been executed by a wood-carver, possibly trained in France,[3] who might also be the artist behind a somewhat similar cross in Fröjel Church[3] and it dates from the late 13th century.