The history of Fantoft Stave Church dates back approxinately 800 years to to small village of Fortun in Sogn. The church was erected in Fortun around the year 1200 and served as the church there until the end of the 19th century.

Originally, there were about 1000 stave churches in Norway, but over time they had to make way for larger and more contemporary church buildings. The same fate befell the stave church at Fortun, which eventually became too small. A new church was built in Fortun.

During that time, Norway faced economic hardships, and the old church could no longer be maintained. Building components were removed and reused. For example, the baptismal font was repurposed as a feeding though for livestock on a farm.

A conservator named Lorange in Bergan became aware that the stave church in Fortum was threatened with demolition. He received financial support from the Consul Gade, who owned Fantoft farm, to plan and execute the relocation of the church to Fantoft. The church was moved in 1883.