The Church of the Icon of the Mother of God 'Sign' is the oldest church in Crimea. This unusual building made of rubble stone with simple pediments has been rebuilt multiple times, preserving evidence of its long history.

The history of the Sign Church begins with the early centuries of Christianity, as evidenced by the 'altar within the altar.' This small room with a dome on 'foundation stones' was a chapel of the early centuries dedicated to Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene. During the Hunnic invasion, the chapel was destroyed but was restored in the 6th century when Taurida was under Byzantine rule. At that time, an underground passage was created leading to Mount Agarimish, where the ruins of an ancient monastery now stand.

In 1330, Armenians from the city of Ani settled in the valley of Sal, now Grushevka. In 1375, a wealthy man, Sarkis Agasyan, donated 400 dinars for the construction of the church. In 1410, the church was consecrated in honor of Equal-to-the-Apostles Nina and St. Gregory the Blessed.

In 1779, the Christian population of Crimea, including Armenians, was resettled to the Don, and the village became deserted. After Crimea joined the Russian Empire, retired soldiers settled in Sal and restored the church. It served not only the local residents but also the Taurida Cavalry Regiment. According to legend, the commander of the regiment gifted the church an icon of the Mother of God 'Sign.' In 1792, a stone Orthodox church was built and consecrated in honor of this icon.

The village developed, and in 1864 the church was expanded, and five years later, a bell tower 42 meters high with a tsar bell weighing 165 poods was built.

After the liberation of Crimea in 1944, services resumed, but in 1959 the church was closed due to its emergency condition. The bell tower and narthex were destroyed.

In 1994, a community in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God 'Sign' was registered in Grushevka, and the revival of the church began. In 1995, a resident of Old Crimea, Vladimir, returned an 18th-century icon to the church.

An ancient fresco depicting the praying Savior has been preserved in the altar. In 2004, during repairs, the relics of a clergyman and an ancient censer were found. Currently, the church houses the relics of Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, St. Agapit, and an icon of St. Nicholas.

During the reconstruction of the church, a fragment of an Armenian khachkar with the image of a flourishing cross was discovered. Ancient carved crosses are also visible on the walls of the church. Under the altar vestment, a small cave was found, possibly serving as a vestry. The rector, hieromonk Savvaty, along with parishioners, dug a well 10 meters deep with cold spring water.