The earliest existing historical records of the church date back to the year 1300, but it was likely built some time before that. The first church was probably a stave church, located immediately to the west of the present building. In the year 1300, the priest of Fister was involved in a conflict between the Bishop of Stavanger and his canon. The priest of Fister, along with 3 other nearby priests were fined for illegally banning a number of Hird men from the church. In 1867, a new church was constructed immediately to the east of the old church. After the new church was completed, the old church was torn down and its materials were sold at auction.[3]