It is the church for the Sødorp parish which is part of the Nord-Gudbrandsdal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Hamar.

A new site was chosen, about 650 metres (2,130 ft) to the south, on the relatively flat floor of the river valley.

The cruciform log building was consecrated on 12 September 1752 and was supposedly named «Den Herre Zebaoths kirke» ("Lord Sabaoth's Church").

[3] In the early 20th century, the decision was made to move the church closer to the central part of the village of Vinstra.

This decision was not without some local strife, but from 1908-1910, the church was disassembled and moved about 2.7 kilometres (1.7 mi) to the northwest where it was rebuilt.

The church was oriented with the main entrance on the south side and the choir and sacristy on the north end.