After World War II, among the first immigrants to New Zealand were people from the Soviet Union who had survived concentration camps and forced labor in Germany, as well as settlers from Manchuria. In June 1949, the first Russians arrived by ship and were placed in the Pahiatua Camp for displaced persons. A few months later, they began to settle in Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Auckland. The Russians who settled in Wellington reached out to the Australian Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, requesting a priest to be sent. In September 1950, Father Alexey Godyaev arrived there, the only priest of the Russian Orthodox Church in New Zealand at that time.

The first services were held in an Anglican church building in the evenings, as Father Alexey worked during the day at a dairy factory, being a chemist by education. Both the priest and the parishioners dreamed of having their own church. In 1955, they managed to purchase a building in the center of Wellington on Pirie Street, which was converted into a church, and regular services began.

The church on Pirie Street functioned for 40 years. In 1995, it was sold, and a new property was purchased on Webb Street. At that time, Father Ambrose was the priest. New immigrants from Russia during the perestroika period began to attend the church, including fleeing sailors whom Father Ambrose provided shelter and food for.

In June 2000, the building was sold due to non-compliance with earthquake safety standards. A month later, a property on Darlington Road was acquired. The future church building needed renovations: an altar, choir, and library had to be constructed. After the work was completed, the church was consecrated, and the first service was conducted by Archpriest Nikolai Karypov.

Since March 2007, Archpriest Vladimir Boykov has been appointed as the rector of the Christ the Savior Church, who is also the rector of the Resurrection Church in Auckland and the dean of New Zealand parishes.