Dorotea has been populated since 1713, when the first settler Jon Erson Kervalainen and his wife moved to a Sami camp later known as Svanavatten ("Swan water"). This village expanded to 41 houses by the end of the century, and the residents were anxious to build a chapel. The seat was chosen to be Bergvattnet.
The church burnt down in 1932 and a new church was inaugurated in 1934. Designed by Evert Milles, it houses some notable objects, such as a sculpture by his brother the famous Carl Milles.