The village of Bydreyevka emerged in the late 17th century on the site of the former lands of the Makaryev-Zheltovodsky Monastery. In 1702, the monastery authorities established the Bydreyev Desert here. In 1712, the construction of the first wooden church in honor of St. Makary of Zheltovodsk and the Unzhensky Miracle Worker was completed, and it was consecrated that same year.

In 1764, by decree of Catherine the Second, the Bydreyev Monastery was abolished. In 1799, a wooden bell tower was built next to the church, and the church and cemetery were surrounded by a wooden fence. On January 31, 1823, the church burned down along with its property. The construction of a stone church in honor of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord began, with two altars: one in honor of the Exaltation of the Cross and the other dedicated to St. Makary. The altar was consecrated in 1826, and the stone masonry of the temple was completed that same year, with the interior finishing starting afterward. In 1875, a stone bell tower was built on the site of the burned one.

The church clergy traditionally consisted of a priest and two deacons. In 1838, a second staff of clergy was opened, and from 1844, another priest was added. In the mid-19th century, two schools operated in the village.

Priest N.V. Runovsky, 37 years old, graduated from seminary with a second-class degree and served since 1867; he was also a law teacher. Deacon and psalmist S.V. Korablev, 41 years old, had no formal education and served since 1867. Retired priest M.G. Troitsky, 42 years old, graduated from the higher department of seminary and served from 1868 to 1887.

In 1873, due to a lack of funds from parishioners, the second staff of clergy was closed.

The church's parishioners were economic peasants from the villages of Pydrey, Klushino, Bezvodnoye, Shaldezh, Chamra, Olonikha, Yelkhovka, Klokino, and others.

During the Soviet years, the church was closed, looted, and desecrated. The bell was thrown down, and the building was used for economic purposes. Later, it was abandoned.

In 2005, with the blessing of Bishop Georgy, Bishop of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas, a founding meeting of the local Orthodox community of the church in honor of the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord in the village of Bydreyevka, Semenovsky District of Nizhny Novgorod Region, took place.