It was historically the church for the Mosterøy parish which is part of the Tungenes prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Stavanger.

The church was built on the site of the Utstein Abbey and it was dedicated to Saint Lawrence.

Both the nave and chancel are rectangular and of the same size, and between the two parts of the building there is a central tower.

The church has gothic gate windows and in the ceilings there are cross-rib vaults.

The soapstone baptismal font is from the 12th century, while the rest of the medieval furniture has been lost.