The church's origins lie in a modest wooden chapel first built in 1622 at Västanbyn, near Högbo Bruk, at a time when the ironworks was flourishing. By the mid-1700s, the growing population of Högbo had grown weary of travelling the long distance to the parish church at Ovansjö, and the existing chapel had fallen into disrepair. A plan emerged to relocate and rebuild the chapel closer to where people lived, at Överbyn.
The decisive factor in making this happen was a bequest from an inspector at the ironworks, Baumgren, who left a substantial sum in copper coinage on condition that the new chapel be built at Högbo. The work was completed in 1777, giving the parish the church that still stands today. A tower was added later, in 1824.
The building is of timber construction, clad externally with panelling, and has been painted white since 1874, giving it the bright, simple appearance visitors see now. Its architecture is typical of rural Swedish wooden churches of the period, valued for its plain elegance rather than grandeur.
Inside, the altarpiece and pulpit were painted by the artist Olle Hjortzberg. The church also houses an organ built by the Magnusson organ workshop in 1970. Beyond its role in worship, Högbo kyrka is used for musical events, including performances linked to Sandviken's chamber music festival.