It is the church for the Vik parish which is part of the Sogn prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Bjørgvin.
The issue was first raised by the local parish priest Jørgen Christian Andreas Grøner who complained about the size of the two churches.
Soon after, the local priest decided to no longer hold services at the Hopperstad Stave Church since it was so cold and drafty.
The new church was designed by Haakon Thorsen and the lead builder was Ole Vangberg.
The new church was consecrated on 23 August 1877 by Bishop Peter Hersleb Graah Birkeland.