The Kursk-Znamenka community of sisters of mercy was founded in 1893 and named after the miraculous icon of the Sign of the Mother of God. It was managed by the local branch of the Russian Red Cross Society and was located at 64 Moskovskaya Street in Kursk, where the 'Oktyabrskaya' hotel now stands. The community's charter was approved on April 7, 1893, by the Main Administration of the Russian Red Cross Society, which had long been actively operating in Russia. The Board of Trustees was headed by Nadezhda Fedorovna Montrezor, the widow of a cavalry general. For her many years of selfless work for the Russian Red Cross Society, she was elected an Honorary Member of the ROKK on May 16, 1910. In 1912, she was succeeded in this position by Princess Nadezhda Vladimirovna Dondykova-Iziedinova, the wife of the noble leader of the Kursk province.

A house church dedicated to the Sorrowful Mother was active within the community, consecrated on January 8, 1898. It was maintained with the personal funds of N.F. Montrezor, and services were held on all Sundays and feast days, as well as on the eve of these days.