"Polikur" translates from Greek as "old village" or "many settlements". In Yalta, this hill rises above the sea, where fishermen have lived since ancient times. It gently descends to the sea, forming a cape that the Tatars called "Kelise-burun" ("church"), while the Greeks and Russians referred to it as St. John's Cape, likely named after the church that once stood here and was mentioned by travelers.

The development of Yalta was aided by the Governor-General of the Novorossiysk region, Count Mikhail Semenovich Vorontsov. He saw potential in the development of the Crimean lands, especially the southern coast. At the beginning of the century, Yalta was a village with 13 huts, but by 1835 it had become a settlement with multi-story buildings, a pier, a harbor, a waterfront, a post office, customs, a police station, a market, and a bank. However, the city lacked a cathedral for full development.

The first architect of the southern coast, the Englishman Philip Fedorovich Elson, chose a site for the temple on Polikurovsky Hill, at an elevation of 45 meters above sea level. This location became a landmark for the urban planning of Yalta. Until the early 20th century, the city's streets were laid out so that the temple crowned their perspective. From the south, it attracted the attention of sailors and was soon included in the international charts of the Black Sea. However, Vorontsov did not approve of the initial designs of the temple and commissioned the Odessa architect G.I. Torricelli to develop new plans. Torricelli created a project for two temples: one for Yalta and another for Vorontsov's estate in Moshny.

On September 16, 1837, Archbishop Gabriel Rozanov consecrated the cathedral in the name of St. John Chrysostom. The next day, Emperor Nicholas I arrived in Yalta with his family. He visited Count Vorontsov and proclaimed Yalta a district town, outlining a plan for construction and expansion of the harbor.

In less than half a century, the cathedral on Polikurovsky Hill became a decoration of the city. Nearby, a city cemetery emerged, which later became a memorial necropolis where outstanding figures of science and culture were laid to rest.

According to local historian V.P. Kurguzov, in 1878, due to population growth, it was decided to reconstruct the temple. The design was entrusted to K.I. Eshliman. The temple was dismantled and rebuilt according to a new plan, increasing its capacity to 750 people. Architect N.P. Krasnov replaced the domes with a tent dome in the Byzantine style. In 1883, with the funds of Baron Andrei Nil-Vrangelya, an altar was arranged in the temple in honor of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called.

N.P. Krasnov, a Yalta architect, also designed a chapel at the sea terminal and the building of the church school. Both projects were realized thanks to donations from Yulia Ivanovna Bazanova.

On October 10, 1894, the temple was served by Priest John Sergiev, known as St. Righteous John of Kronstadt.

In 1902, a cathedral in honor of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky was consecrated in Yalta, and the old cathedral became known as the Old.

During the Soviet era, the church was turned into a warehouse. In 1942, the warehouse was looted and set on fire, leaving only charred walls of the cathedral. After the war, its ruins were dismantled for the construction of a sanatorium.

In 1994, Vitaly Shevchenko began the restoration of the temple. He gathered a team of builders who worked for a small fee. On November 26, 1998, Archbishop Lazar consecrated the temple, and on December 22, 1999, the crosses were consecrated and raised.