Fifty years ago, during the construction of the Gorky Hydroelectric Power Station, Chkalovsk suffered significant losses as all its churches were lost. Unlike Balakhna, which preserved its history, ancient temples, and old streets, Chkalovsk retained only a small part of the old Vasiliev, while the historical part of the city was submerged. During the Soviet period, new construction began, leaving no place for churches. Despite this, the Orthodox residents of the city remained, and the need for a church persisted. People traveled to other places where churches survived, most often to Katunki. The opportunity to create a church of our own only arose in modern Russia. In the late 1990s, having received premises of the former city public catering, we began to establish the church. It is still active and developing, fulfilling its mission: baptizing children, marrying couples, conducting services, and bidding farewell to the residents of Chkalovsk.

The need for a new church arose, and we began its construction. However, this does not mean that the old church will be forgotten. I am confident that the church in the name of St. Anastasia the Deliverer will continue to serve God and the people even after the new church is completed.