For most of the Soviet period, there were no Orthodox churches in Sakhalin. All attempts by believers to establish a parish and a prayer house were unsuccessful. Only in January 1989 was it possible to register a religious organization of Orthodox Christians. At the request of the believers, Bishop Gabriel of Khabarovsk blessed the naming of the Orthodox community in honor of Saint Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg. The believers were offered to purchase a cinder block house in the private sector of the city at 6 Trudovaya Street and to arrange a church in it. Thus, for the first time in a long while, an Orthodox church was opened in the region, also consecrated in honor of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg. Thousands of Sakhalin residents from different areas flocked to the small premises. The opening of the Church of Saint Xenia of St. Petersburg laid the foundation for the further development of Orthodoxy in Sakhalin, and new parishes began to appear very actively.

This church can be considered a monument and of historical value. Over the years, such house parishes in Sakhalin have become fewer, with full-fledged church buildings being erected instead of temporary structures.

A tradition has developed that on the feast day of the church on February 6 (June 6 in the new style), the ruling bishop serves in the church. Bishop Tikhon (Dorovskikh) called the feast day of this church a celebration for the entire diocese. At the entrance, in a small vestibule, parishioners leave their outer clothing and bags, as well as change into home slippers.

The church is associated with the Church of Anastasia the Deliverer at Correctional Colony No. 1.