Saurbæjarkirkja was built in 1858 and is one of the six turf churches still existent in Iceland. Most churches in the country were built of this material until well into the 19th century.
Saurbæjarkirkja church has thick turf and stone walls on the outside for protection against the weather, and turf on the roof. Inside, the church holds a wooden frame construction.
Churches of this type had no tower and the bells usually hung from the front gable. A convent was founded in Saurbær at the end of the 12th century, but it seems to have existed for only a short time, there being few records of it.
Saurbæjarkirkja church is now under care of the National Museum.
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