The history of the Ust-Ishim St. Nicholas Cathedral is full of amazing events. Many centuries ago, the territory from the Krushinka River to the Irtysh and from the Ishim River to the building of the Ust-Ishim district administration was an ancient settlement, where Ust-Ishim originated. The first inhabitants, Tatars, appealed to the Tobolsk governor-general for protection from nomads. In response, a detachment of Cossacks was sent, who served for a year, but over time they settled here, started families, and became part of the local population.

The first wooden church was built in the old settlement near the Irtysh, but it burned down in 1866. Two years later, the question of building a new church arose. At that time, having a church elevated the status of a settlement to that of a village, where administrative management could take place. The question was whether to restore the church in Ust-Ishim or to renovate the one in Slobodchiki, where there was already a church of Archangel Michael. The people of Ust-Ishim insisted on building it in their town, but the authorities leaned towards Slobodchiki.

However, a miracle happened: two women found an icon of Nicholas the Wonderworker at the site of the fire. This icon, brought by the Cossacks, had not burned, which was perceived as a sign. As a result, it was decided to build the church in Ust-Ishim. A monument to the founders of the city was erected at the site of the church, using a marble slab that had previously served as a tombstone.

The church, built in 1906, was the tallest in the Tyumen region diocese, standing at 35 meters. It was adorned with paintings and had unique architecture. During the Soviet years, the paintings were hidden under plaster. Locals recall that the first wooden church burned down, and in 1848 a new one was built on a stone foundation, but it also suffered from a fire. In 1904, the construction of the stone church began, which was completed in 1906.

Today, on the church grounds, there is a wooden bell tower built for the 100th anniversary of the church in 2004. Locals remember how, as children, they brought bricks for the construction. The church had four stoves, whose chimneys passed through the walls, creating a special atmosphere.

During the Civil War and later, the church experienced persecution. In 1932, a priest conducted a secret wedding, for which he was arrested. The church was closed and handed over to a machine-tractor station, and later used as a warehouse. In the 1950s, there were attempts to turn it into a cinema, but the acoustics did not allow for it, and in 1956 the upper part of the church was demolished.

In 1990, services resumed after the church was consecrated with a minor consecration, but it was never fully restored.