It is one of the churches for the Stor-Elvdal parish which is part of the Sør-Østerdal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Hamar.

The white, wooden church was built in a octagonal design in 1821 using plans drawn up by the architect Sven Aspaas.

The church built on the Koppangsjordet island in the river Glomma, just south of today's town of Koppang, and at that time it was known as the Koppangkirken.

Legend says that some of the timbers ended up on the mainland about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) to the south on a plot of land that was later known as Kirkemoen.

In 1625, the nave was extended about 3–4 metres (9.8–13.1 ft) to the west to give more room for seating.

In 1730, the church was enlarged again, this time by adding transepts to the north and south to create a cruciform floor plan.

After much debate and discussion, it was decided to build a new church on a new site about 1.4 kilometres (0.87 mi) further south along the river.

Construction began in 1807, and in 1809 the walls were completed and the roof and tower were put in place as well as the spire from the old church.