It is located along the river Målselva at Målselv, about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north of the village of Bardufoss.

It is the main church for the Målselv parish which is part of the Senja prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland.

The church was consecrated on 11 July 1883 by the Bishop Jacob Sverdrup Smitt.

It took six years to clear the area, make plans, raise money, and rebuild the 3rd Målselv Church.

The new concrete and brick church was built in a more modern style.