It is the church for the Røyrvik parish which is part of the Namdal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nidaros.

[1][2] The Norwegian settlers and the local Sami people in the sparsely populated area received permission in a royal resolution of 16 February 1828 to build an annex chapel for the Røyrvik area.

For many years in early July each year, the priest from Grong Church would hold a big worship service where there would be many baptisms, weddings, confirmations, and funerals.

[3][4] In 1896, the architect Olaf Jarl Alstad designed plans for a much larger church in Røyrvik.

The plans were approved in 1898, but due to funding problems, the new church was not built until 1901.