The Church of the Ascension of the Lord was consecrated on June 23, 1790. The idea of building the temple belonged to merchant Alexander Petrovich Berezin from the town of Myshkin, who also financed the project.

Alexander Petrovich was born into a peasant family that lived in such poverty that his father, Pyotr Nikiforovich, was forced to pawn an icon of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker for 1 ruble and 20 kopecks to go earn a living in Arzamas. In 1734, Pyotr Nikiforovich died, leaving his wife and five children in dire need. Alexander was only 2 years old at the time.

At the age of 8, Alexander began working as a shepherd. During this time, he contracted smallpox, and one cold, rainy autumn day, when he had not yet fully recovered from the illness, he felt a strong exhaustion and exclaimed, "Why was I born to my mother?" At that moment, his soul was illuminated by a supernatural light, and he heard the words: "The Lord has set you to work; do not grieve, pray to God, and you will be rich."

These words left a deep mark on his life. Remembering his former poverty, Alexander, who later became a successful merchant, always helped the poor and needy. But that came later; for now, at 10 years old, he began weaving bast shoes and doing any work that brought income to support his family. At 15, he left the village and went to St. Petersburg to earn a living, which was in 1747.

In St. Petersburg, Alexander Petrovich worked for an official, in the house of whom educated people gathered. There he learned to read and write and much more. After the official's death, he became a clerk in a flour shop and achieved such success that he was able to buy himself out of the "peasant community," acquire a house, and build a brewery.

In 1764, Alexander Petrovich joined the first guild of merchants. His wealth grew, and he decided to redeem the pawned icon of Saint Nicholas and build a temple in gratitude for God's blessings and in memory of his revelation in the outskirts of the village of Kruglitsy.

At that time, it was a deserted place, far from populated areas, and the construction of the church there met with resistance from the authorities. However, all obstacles were overcome, and in 1790, nine years before his death, Alexander Petrovich erected the Church of the Ascension of the Lord with two altars, that of the prophet Elijah and Dmitry of Thessalonica. He adorned it with paintings and gilding, provided it with sacred vessels, vestments, books, and bells. When everything was ready, a day for the consecration was appointed.