It is the church for the Hjelmeland parish which is part of the Ryfylke prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Stavanger.

Originally, the stave church was located at Sæbø on an island in the estuary of a small river, about 125 metres (410 ft) northwest of the present site of the church in Hjelmeland.

Over time the names Sæbø and Hjelmeland were used interchangeably for the church and parish.

In the years 1618–28, a number of construction works were carried out on the church, including the erection of a new tower.

[4][5] In 1858, a new church was built about 125 metres (410 ft) to the southeast across the river on the site of the priest's farm.