The earliest existing historical records of the church date back to 1432, but the church was not new that year. The first church in Frei was a wooden stave church that was located about 40 metres (130 ft) southeast of the present church site. It may have been founded during the 14th century. The church was a long church design with a sacristy on the east end and a church porch on the north side where the main entrance was located. The building was renovated in 1665. During the renovation, a tower was built on the roof above the nave. Prior to 1665, there was a small free-standing bell tower. In October 1766, the church was struck by lightning and it burned down. A new church site was chosen about 40 metres (130 ft) to the northwest of the old church site. The church was rebuilt on this new site the following spring of 1767. The new church was a timber-framedcruciform design with a sacristy on the east end.[3][4]
In the spring of 1896, the church was torn down. A new church was built from 1896 to 1897 on the same site. Some of the materials of the old church were preserved and re-used in the construction of the present church building. The church was designed by Karl Norum. The new building was consecrated on 16 September 1897. It is a wooden, dragestillong church with a tower on the west end and a choir on the east end that was flanked by a sacristy on the north and south side of the choir.[3][4]
