The first wooden church in Smyslyayevka was built in 1812, but it burned down in the 19th century. In 1892, a new stone St. Nicholas church was opened, for the construction of which clay was mined nearby, at the site of the future lake.

In 1940, the church was closed, and its premises were used as a grain storage and thread warehouse, while the bell tower stored insecticide. In the 1970s, a severe fire occurred in the church, leaving the building in a semi-ruined state.

The revival of the parish began in 1989 with the appointment of priest Vladimir Semyonov. It was decided to build a new church, as the old one required significant funds for restoration and was almost unfit for renovation.

The new building was erected in May 1992, and Bishop Eusebius Savvin consecrated it. The interior paintings were done by the Painting-Alfey Workshop of Sergey Saksonov, and they amaze with their beauty. In 2005, the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, preserved by the parishioners, returned to its rightful place in the new church.

In 2008, a new baptismal font was opened and a bell tower was built. In 2009, new domes were installed, and in May 2010, new bells were added to the church.