It was once the main church for the Nærøy parish which is part of the Namdal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nidaros.

[4][5] In 1847, the church was struck by lightning and it burned down, leaving only the exterior stone walls remaining.

Later, the architect John Tverdahl led the work of restoration and reconstruction of the ruins from 1948-1961.

In the late 1990s, a local organization was founded to continue the upkeep and improvements in the church.

At that time the church received new floors, doors, benches, and windows.