The church was built by order of Prince David Rostislavich, who ruled in Smolensk from 1180 to 1197. Exact data on the time of construction is absent. The church was part of the architectural complex of the suburban princely court. Until its closure in the first half of the 20th century, it housed the white-stone tomb of Prince David. For some time, a monastery operated at the church.

During the siege of Smolensk in 1609 and 1611, Polish-Lithuanian troops used the building as a fortress. In 1611, a Catholic parish was organized here. After Smolensk returned to the Russian state in 1654, the church again became a place for Orthodox services.

In the early 18th century, the upper parts of the walls and vaults were rebuilt, the facade finishing was changed, and large windows appeared in the walls of the extensions.

In 1733, a warm chapel was added to the church. By the end of the 19th century, there were four altars inside: the main one in honor of Archangel Michael, as well as in the name of Alexius, the man of God, the righteous prince Alexander Nevsky, and the martyrs Boris and Gleb.

In the second half of the 18th century, the church's elder became merchant Vasily Grigorievich Khlebnikov. With the blessing of Bishop Parfeny, from 1775 to 1785, a stone bell tower, a stone fence, and a one-story stone house were built in the southwest corner of the church property. In this house, funded by Khlebnikov, poor and homeless boys were educated.

From 1775 to 1785, the church was whitewashed, and a brick fence and bell tower with an onion dome were built.

During the Patriotic War of 1812, the Svirskaya church was looted by French soldiers, but it was restored after the war.

In 1930, the church was closed, and the building was used as a military warehouse.

During the Great Patriotic War, the building lost its roof, and the plaster on the walls fell off in many places.

In 1963, during the installation of the roof, some architectural details from the 19th century were removed. From 1976 to 1982, the facades and some architectural forms from the 12th century were restored, as well as individual details from the 18th century.

In 1990, the church was transferred to the Smolensk and Vyazemsk diocese, and restoration of the interior began, which is to take on the appearance of the 12th century.

Services resumed in 1991, and restoration work continues. The carved iconostasis made of white stone and the altar of the church were consecrated on November 21, 1999.