It is the main church for the Vadsø parish which is part of the Varanger prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland.

It was located about 100 metres (330 ft) southeast of the present bridge connecting the island to the mainland.

[3] In the early 1700s, the small town had expanded beyond its site on the island of Vadsøya to also include land on the mainaland.

The entry porch was retained, however, and it was turned into a small burial chapel that continued to stand at the cemetery.

[4] During the night of 28–29 October 1944, the retreating German army burned most of the town of Vadsø including the church.