It is the church for the Nord-Vågsøy parish which is part of the Nordfjord prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Bjørgvin.

[1][2] The earliest existing historical records of the church date back to 1599, but it was likely built in 1580.

In 1580, a small chapel was built on the island of Vågsøy, just south of Raudeberg on the Kapelneset peninsula, along the eastern shore of the island, about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) south of the present site of the church.

In 1643, the county governor, Collett, described it as "Vaagsø Capell ligner en almindelig stygg lade."

In 1854, a larger church was built in the village of Raudeberg, about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) to the north using plans by the architect Hans Linstow.