It was a church in the Eid og Holm parish which is part of the Indre Romsdal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Møre.

Since 1907, Rødven Stave Church has not been regularly used and it has been owned by the Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments.

Although it is now a museum, it does have one worship service each year on Olsok, the eve of St. Olav's Day.

In 1712, the church was significantly renovated and repaired by the lead builder Hans Knutsen from Molde.

A new church porch was built on the west end of the building.

At the same time, a new Rødven Chapel (as it originally was called) was designed by Jens Zetlitz Monrad Kielland was built about 40 metres (130 ft) to the north, just across the road from the old Rødven Stave Church.

After the new Rødven Chapel was completed, the old stave church was closed and removed from regular use.

In 1908, the old stave church was purchased by the Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments which runs it as a museum, although the parish still uses the church building on special occasions.