The village of Afanasyevo was previously part of the palace volost with its center in Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda, being its hamlet. The patriarchal tax books from 1628 mention "the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in the village of Ofonasyevo in the sloboda hamlet." This church stood until 1803. In the same year, with the blessing of Bishop Xenophon of Vladimir and Suzdal and with the funds from parishioners, the existing stone church of the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian was built. In the church, in addition to the main altar, there was a warm chapel in the refectory dedicated to St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker. In the 1930s, during the Soviet era, the church was closed, and the bell tower was destroyed. In 1999, at a village meeting, the residents decided to begin restoration.

The parish of the Church of Afanasyevo included the village of Novinki, where there was a chapel in honor of Archangel Michael, and the village of Naumovo with a chapel of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. The Church of John the Theologian, built of brick, is designed in the style of provincial classicism. The bell tower was destroyed in 1964. The church needs restoration, but since 1999 it has been open, and services are held there.