Until the border agreement between Russia and Norway/Sweden, concluded in 1826, the area around Neiden belonged to the so-called "Common District." The border with Russia – from 1751 – ran at Bugeyfjord, a few kilometers to the west. The Common District was of considerable importance to Russia in terms of economic cooperation (fish and reindeer), as was the spiritual care provided by Boris Gleb. This included the small St. George Chapel in Neiden.
After the new border agreement, the new area came under the Vadse church administration. In 1840, the question arose of the need to build a new chapel on the south side of the Varangerfjord. The bishop suggested Korsfjord, the area that also included Neiden. At that time, about 400 people lived in this area, mostly Sami. And, in the bishop's opinion, they should hear God's word in their own language.
In 1858, Ser-Varanger became a separate municipality. With a church, built on a site called "Kirkenes." Geographically well-located for the entire municipality. However, this is probably not the real reason. Rather, it is its importance as a border municipality in relation to Russia. This national issue becomes clearly apparent when Grenz Jakobselv received its own chapel in 1869. This was intended to be a place of worship for the population in the border area and a border guard at Norway's outermost border post.
In 1874, the new Russian church in Boris Gleb was completed. It was red in color, with gilded domes and room for more people than the population of the region. Perhaps this was an expression of Russian expansion, as at the same time there was a rumor that the Russians wanted to build a new chapel in Neiden to replace the "unsightly Russian Chapel." In the second half of the 19th century, there was significant immigration of Finnish people to the Neiden area. These immigrants were mostly "Læstadians," and preachers came from Finland. In Neiden, one could find both books and magazines in the "Kvaener" language.
Therefore, the Norwegian administration was interested in strengthening the Norwegian counterweight.
Especially through schools, churches, etc.
Therefore, it was in both the national and local interest that a chapel be built in Neiden. In 1898, 26 fathers from Neiden, Munkefjord, and Korsfjord submitted a request for the construction of a chapel with an adjacent cemetery, built with public funds. The justification for this request also emphasized the national question. Supported by the mayor and the county council, Karl Norum was chosen as the architect. He was employed by a timber trading company in Trondheim. Norum was fascinated by Norwegian history, especially Viking finds and stave churches.
He designed a church as an expression of "Norwegian culture in national unity in a border region." This church, like seven other churches, was prefabricated as a kit in Mostadmarka near Hommelvik. The chapel in Neiden is considered one of Norum's finest works and has been described as a "pearl of Norwegian National Romantic architecture."
The chapel was consecrated on July 13, 1902, in the presence of the Church Council, the bishop, the bailiff, and the Finnmark clergy. State Councilor Wexelsen, who had been a staunch advocate for the chapel's construction, presented King Oscar with eleven silver altar receptacles and a copper baptismal font with a jug. The chapel had 155 seats and cost 32,900 kroner.