It is located on the Hessevågen farm on the mainland side of the village of Rugsund, on the southern coast of the Nordfjorden.

It is the church for the Rugsund parish which is part of the Nordfjord prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Bjørgvin.

Because of this, it was decided to build a new graveyard and church across the small strait on the mainland in the village of Rugsund.

The beautiful location of the previous church on the point above the harbour was a navigational landmark for ships.

When the present church was to be built, people demanded a similarly beautiful location.