The village of Pionerskoye, formerly known as Jalman, is located along the Yalta highway near Simferopol. Here, the ancient church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker has been preserved. In the late 19th century, peasant Ivan Petrov decided to build a church, a rectory, and a parish school at his own expense. Countess Anna Fedorovna Monzhen, the owner of the Jalman estate, allocated land for the construction.

The stone church in Byzantine style was built in 1895. It had a cross-shaped plan, a small dome, a tin roof, and a stone bell tower 25 arshins high. The bell tower housed five bells of different sizes and weights, ranging from 5 poods to 22 pounds. The altar in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was consecrated in 1895 by Bishop Martinian of Taurida and Simferopol.

St. Nicholas was born in the city of Patara in Lycia to pious Christian parents Theophanes and Nonna. From childhood, he was taught prayer, reading, and studying the Holy Scriptures. His uncle, the Bishop of Patara, noticing his good upbringing, first appointed Nicholas as a reader, then as a deacon, and later as a priest. After the death of his parents, Nicholas distributed his inheritance to the poor and went to Jerusalem. During his journey, he calmed a storm with prayer. Upon returning, he settled in Myra and was elected bishop.

Under Emperor Diocletian, Nicholas was imprisoned along with other Christians, where he suffered from hunger and thirst. He was released under Constantine the Great. In 325, he participated in the First Ecumenical Council, defending Orthodoxy and refuting the heretic Arius.

St. Nicholas possessed the gift of miracles even after his death. His relics were kept in Myra and became famous for the miraculous flow of myrrh. In 1034, Lycia was captured by Saracens, and in 1087, the relics of Nicholas were transferred to Bari, where they performed miracles. In 1807, part of the relics was returned to Myra in Lycia.

St. Nicholas helps all Christians. Sailors, students, the sick, prisoners, and those longing for their homeland pray to him. On December 19, the Church commemorates him.

Ivan Petrov was buried in the churchyard, and his grave has been preserved to this day. The inscription on the stone reads: “Here lies the dust of the builder of the church and school, Simferopol merchant Ivan Ivanovich Petrov, who passed away at the age of 56 on April 5, 1896.”

In 1896, the countess donated 209 fathoms of land to the church, and Prince N. S. Dolgorukov donated more than a tithe of land for the school. In the early 20th century, 45 children studied at the school, and there were 2,600 parishioners.

After the revolution, many churches in Crimea were closed. In 1922, the valuables of the St. Nicholas Church were confiscated to combat hunger. In 1927, an earthquake caused serious damage to the church, but there were no funds for repairs. In 1930, the building was closed and handed over to a collective farm, where a canteen was set up.

During the war, the church was reopened and operated until 1961. After that, the church was used as a warehouse, library, and club. Over the years, the building changed, being remodeled to take on a “civilian” appearance. The bell tower has not survived, but the church itself is being revived.