The victory in the Battle of Chesma became one of the most famous triumphs of the Russian fleet and is reflected in various monuments, including an Orthodox church in St. Petersburg. Unlike other similar memorial churches, the Chesme Church survived the years of Soviet power and today is one of the most beautiful churches in the Northern capital of Russia.

Construction of the church began in 1777 and was completed in 1780. The Chesme Church is associated with the palace of Catherine the Great and was built at her behest. The project was developed by the outstanding Russian architect Yuri Matveyevich Felten, and the full name of the church is the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (Chesme).

The site for the church's construction was chosen not by chance; it was here that Catherine the Great received news of the victory of the Russian fleet. The Empress personally indicated the location for the construction and organized the solemn consecration, attended by the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Joseph II. Such events are rare in world history. The appearance of the church is also unusual for Orthodox churches and is executed in the style of pseudo-Gothic.

During the years of Soviet power, the church suffered greatly, losing its bells, which were melted down. In 1930, due to negligence, a fire occurred in the building, after which it became a warehouse. Such an attitude towards a monument of architecture and history is difficult to explain from the perspective of human values, but it is important that the church was not completely destroyed. Today it has been restored and once again impresses with its magnificence. This place was a favorite for prayers of Catherine the Great and some other Russian emperors.