[1][2] Pihlajavesi formed part of the large Ruovesi parish, and travel to the nearest church was difficult due to lack of roads in the area; therefore the populace petitioned the Archdiocese of Turku cathedral chapter for a permission to build their own local chapel and cemetery.

[2][3] The request was granted, but during the design and construction phase what was originally intended as a small prayer room gradually grew into a full-blown church, which the permission did not allow.

The Diocese complained and admonished the Kirkkoherra (Vicar) of Keuruu over this unlicensed development, initially refusing to sanction its use, but allowed the building to remain and eventually consecrated it as a church in 1787.

There is an integral bell tower under a wood shingle roof, at the western end of the building, above the entrance.

[3] The church and its surrounding milieu have been designated and protected by the Finnish Heritage Agency as a nationally important built cultural environment (Valtakunnallisesti merkittävä rakennettu kulttuuriympäristö).