It is the church for the Lesja og Lesjaskog parish which is part of the Nord-Gudbrandsdal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Hamar.

Soon after, population growth and jobs in the area proved the need for a new church in the upper part of the Lesja parish.

By 1826, plans were made to move the church about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) to the west to the village of Lesjaskog, but they were rejected.

It also got new, larger windows and the roof was raised to give a higher ceiling inside.

The newly rebuilt church was re-consecrated on 20 September 1855 and it was renamed Lesjaskog kirke.