[2][3] The church is located at the foot of the north-facing slope Ekeberg, across the street from the Gamlebyen Cemetery.

The abbey Church which was built towards the end of the 1200s, was one of Oslo's earliest buildings constructed of brick which came from Duke Hakon's brickworks on the banks of the Alna River.

After the last fire on 13 January 1794 the church was rebuilt in Louis XVI style two years later, again in brick.

In the period 1934–1939, it was renovated by architect William K. Essendrop, reestablishing its earlier appearance.

The flat murtaket was replaced with an arched vault, and a new sacristy was built.

The church was reopened on Christmas Eve 1939, in the presence of King Haakon VII.