It formerly was the main church for the Åkra parish which is part of the Karmøy prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Stavanger.

Around 1600, the old medieval stave church was heavily renovated and rebuilt.

[3] In June 1820, the old church was torn down and a new building was constructed on the same site.

On 5 November 1820, the church held its first worship service, just five months after the old one was demolished.

[3] In 1985, a new Åkra Church was built about 200 metres (660 ft) to the southeast (on the other side of the road).