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

Originally, the church was located at Hindrum, near the present-day village of Seter, about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) northeast of the present site of the church.

In 1648, the old choir was torn down and completely rebuilt with new lumber by the architect Ole Jonsen Hindrum.

There is a metal spire on top of the tower on the roof with the date 1653, so that is possibly the year that the rest of the church was rebuilt.

[3][4] In 1897, it was decided to move the church from Hindrum to Vanvikan so it would be closer to where most of the parish's residents lived.