The first church built in Alta was the present building which was completed in 1858. The building was consecrated by the Bishop Knud Gislesen. The church was heavily damaged by the retreating German army in 1944 near the end of World War II. The church benches were burned, the windows were broken, and the electrical system was ruined. After the war, the church was renovated and restored in 1946-1948. The work was led by architect Kirsten Sjøgren-Erichsen. In 1968, electric heating was installed in the church. This church was the main church for the municipality until 2013 when the Northern Lights Cathedral was built as the new main church for the municipality and deanery.[3][4]
