The white, neo-gothic, wooden church was built in an octagonal cruciform style in 1880, based on plans drawn up by the architect Niels Stockfleth Darre Eckhoff.

The first church at Nesna was built about 50 metres (160 ft) north of the present.

In 1666, a church inspection reported that the building was in need of major repairs, which were likely carried out soon afterwards.

Each church parish was a constituency that elected people called "electors" who later convened in each county to elect the representatives for the assembly that would meet at Eidsvoll Manor later that year.

The inner corners of the cruciform design were cut off, forming more of an octagonal central area.