It is the church for the Skåtøy parish which is part of the Bamble prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Agder og Telemark.

This historical site is reachable by boat and recalls Kragerø's "golden days".

The surrounding 500 islands were the home of farmers, fishermen, lumberjacks and sailors from the 17th century.

Heinrich Ernst Schirmer and Wilhelm von Hanno were hired to design the new church.

The church was consecrated on 5 September 1862 by the provost of Bamble prosti when Bishop Jacob von der Lippe was unable to attend.