The village of Chelmuzhi, located on the eastern shore of the Povenets Bay of Lake Onega in Zaonezhye, is known for its Church of the Epiphany. This church, standing on the shore for over four centuries, is visible from afar across the lake's surface.

The church has undergone five stages of construction. In 1577, a wooden church was built, as confirmed by the date on the wooden cross inside. Subsequently, the church's fate was influenced by events related to the Romanov dynasty. According to legend, in 1605, the church was rebuilt with the funds of Princess Ksenia Ivanovna Romanova after her release from captivity, when she became the nun Martha, the mother of the future Tsar Mikhail. In the past, the church housed the family icon of the Romanov house, an icon of the Mother of God, gifted by Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov.

In the late 18th century, the church was reconstructed: a refectory was added, a tented bell tower was built over the entrance, and window and door openings were expanded. The entrance was moved from the western end to the northern side of the entrance hall, and a gallery was built in place of the old porch. In the refectory, heated by stoves, a second altar was arranged. After this, there were no significant repairs for a long time, and only in 1844 were the walls covered with planks.

The connection of the church's history with the name of Martha Romanova contributed to the fact that, by the 300th anniversary of the Romanov house in the early 20th century, repair and restoration work was carried out: a foundation was laid, rotting parts of the refectory and entrance hall were replaced, floors were redone, ceilings and roofs were repaired, walls were re-covered, and the porch was restored.

During the Great Patriotic War, the front passed near the village of Chelmuzhi. Since the church served as a landmark for enemy artillery, it was decided to dismantle the tent and bell tower. After the war, in the 1950s, the church was restored.

The Church of the Epiphany, one of the oldest in Zaonezhye, represents a transitional type from wooden churches to tented cult buildings.

In 2007, restoration was carried out with partial replacement of the cladding and reconstruction of the porch.