Between 1817 and 1829, Catholic families from Kaminoura in the former Omura Domain settled on Arifukushima, quietly preserving their faith while evading persecution. The island once sheltered four hidden Christian communities, all of whom returned to Catholicism after the Meiji era through the dedicated work of missionaries.

In 1927, a modest wooden church with a distinctive multi story roof was built on the island western side, offering a serene place of worship amid the surrounding sea.