This church, located almost in the center of Kharkiv, does not attract tourists and is rarely mentioned in modern descriptions of the city. It is difficult to reach by public transport. Surrounding it are factories, warehouses, and remnants of private construction from the former village of Ivanovka. However, here you can meet professors from Kharkiv University, renowned writers, poets, actors, as well as human rights activists and politicians. Services are held only in part of the building, but during Christian holidays, the church is filled with parishioners.

The history of St. John the Theologian Church in Kharkiv begins with the resettlement of Ukrainians from the Dnieper region, fleeing from wars to the Sloboda lands. At the time of the founding of the Ivanovka sloboda on the Lopan River, the Kharkiv regiment was commanded by Ivan Syroko, a legendary Cossack leader. Syroko died in 1680, and this year marks the consecration of the first wooden church in Ivanovka. It is possible that Syroko was the founder of the sloboda or that it belonged to him, or that among the residents were his associates, but all three assumptions may be true.

In 1762, the wooden church was restored, retaining its name. It is associated with the name of Hryhorii Skovoroda, a famous philosopher and traveler who lived nearby. Unfortunately, Skovoroda's house was demolished during Perestroika, and the city lost a historical monument.

The wooden church stood for over a hundred years, but in 1879, a stone church of the same name was laid, and its construction was completed in 1885. The church remained outside the city, with the border running along the neighboring street. The church was designed by architect Fyodor Danilov in the neo-Russian style. The funds for construction were likely provided by local industrialists and patrons.

The church was consecrated on November 3, 1885. It had three altars and a parish cemetery on Lysaya Hill. The interior paintings were austere due to a lack of funds. Before World War I, a Sunday school operated at the church.

During the Civil War, the church was closed, and its priests disappeared. The community was restored in 1921, but in 1930, the church was closed, and the building was used as a warehouse. During World War II, the upper floor of the bell tower was destroyed.

On July 16, 1991, a meeting of the religious community took place, and the first service was held on August 19, 1991. The church was consecrated on September 21, 1991, and since then, its restoration has continued.