The history of Russian churches in Vancouver began in 1924, when the North American Metropolia, which later became the autocephalous Orthodox Church in America (OCA), was part of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR). At that time, the first Russian church was established on 7th Avenue in honor of the Resurrection of Christ, dedicated to the consecration of the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem. This church existed until 1950, after which it was demolished during the construction of the Granville Bridge. The city provided land for a new church on 43rd Avenue, which still exists today as the cathedral parish of the OCA.

In 1926, when the American jurisdiction separated from ROCOR, it began to experience the influence of Western Protestant churches. Metropolitan Platon sought to create an independent American church, which caused dissatisfaction among the parishioners who did not want changes in Orthodoxy. Some parishes began to introduce innovations, such as pews, shortened services, and a transition to the Gregorian calendar. This led to a division among the Russian faithful. In 1926, a small group of people separated from the Holy Resurrection Church and established a home church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on 6th Avenue.

The overseas churches continued to commemorate Patriarch Tikhon, and after his death, Metropolitan Peter Krutitsky. From 1935 to 1946, the two churches in Vancouver united into one diocese, and the home church of St. Nicholas closed, with its parishioners joining the Holy Resurrection parish.

The second stage in the history of St. Nicholas Church began in 1946. Archimandrite Aggei (Mazur), the rector of the Holy Resurrection Church from 1940 to 1948, separated from ROCOR after the Cleveland Council of 1946 and revived the community of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

In 1950, Priest Filimon Gorelik arrived in Vancouver from Belarus. He aimed to create a traditional Russian church at the corner of East 13th Avenue and Prince Albert Street. The construction of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Church began in 1950 and was completed in 1952. This event brought joy to the Russian community, which could preserve its faith and culture. In 1980, Priest Peter Dubovik arrived, having graduated from the theological faculty in Poland.

In the early 1990s, the church was expanded and rebuilt in the shape of a cross. Despite limited financial resources, the parishioners actively supported the construction, and the church became a place where people could strengthen their faith and spirituality.