In the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries, new public institutions such as hospitals, almshouses, and shelters were actively built in the Sokolniki area, most of which were constructed with private donations. Among the benefactors were the families of von Derwies, Bakhrushins, Ermakovs, and Boevs. With the funds from the latter, an almshouse was built on Stromynka Street in Sokolniki.

The main donor was Nikolai Boev, a first-guild merchant, hereditary honorary citizen, and well-known philanthropist. The Moscow authorities allocated a plot of land in Sokolnichye Field for the construction of the almshouse, located on Stromynka Street, opposite the recently built Bakhrushin Hospital. The two streets bordering the new block were named 1st and 2nd Boevskaya in honor of the founders of the almshouse.

The main building of the almshouse, a long two-story structure with a dome, was situated along Stromynka, set back slightly from the red line. On either side of it, houses for free apartments were built, and later an elementary school building. All the buildings were designed in an eclectic style with elements of pseudo-Russian (Russian-Byzantine) style. The project was developed by architect Alexander Ober.

In the main building of the almshouse, a house church dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the heavenly patron of Nikolai Boev, was arranged, with two chapels dedicated to St. Peter and St. Elizabeth. Initially, it was planned to make the church small, but Boev decided that it should be accessible to ordinary residents as well, not just to the inhabitants of the almshouse, and built a church with a capacity of up to one hundred people. The church was distinguished by its exquisite decoration, and the iconostasis was made of marble. Nikolai Boev bequeathed to be buried in this church, which was fulfilled.

The almshouse of the Boev brothers housed "poor individuals of both sexes, unable to work," who were supported by funds donated by Nikolai Boev. The almshouse was managed by the Moscow City Administration. The complex also included houses for free apartments for poor families and an elementary school, which were also funded by the Boevs.

The almshouse existed until the early Soviet period when it was abolished. Its building was repurposed as a tuberculosis hospital, and now it houses the City Scientific and Practical Center for the Fight Against Tuberculosis. During the Soviet years, the house church was closed, the cross was removed from the dome, the space was adapted for a conference hall, and all interior decoration was lost. Nikolai Boev's burial site has likely also not survived.

Currently, a church has been reestablished in the altar part of the former house church, where services are held. However, the church has not yet been restored to its original form.