The first settlement in the territory of the modern city appeared no earlier than the 16th century, although the terrain suggests the possibility of earlier settlements. The village of Fatezh has been known since the mid-17th century. Until 1818, the city housed the Epiphany Cathedral, built in 1795. The first stone church with a bell tower was erected in 1868 at the cemetery and was called the Theological.

In 1818, a stone church with a bell tower, dedicated to the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, was built with the funds of merchant Ivan Stepanovich Kharichkov. After his death in 1845, his widow, Elizabeth Stepanovna, built a warm stone church at the Protection Church in honor of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God. The altars were consecrated in honor of the Tikhvin Icon (central), Blessed Andrew (left), and Righteous Elizabeth (right). In summer, services were held in the Protection Church, while in winter, they were held in the Tikhvin Church.

The Tikhvin Church was renovated in 1890, and Holy Antimens were issued in 1845, 1875, and 1883. The church had a library of 170 volumes of spiritual literature and Orthodox periodicals, for the sale of which two stone shops were built. Next to the church was a cemetery with a stone fence and two church gardens: one within the fence and the other on Veselaya Street, donated by Matveyev. In 1908, the church was visited by Bishop Pitirim.

According to the resolution of the regional executive committee dated April 14, 1936, the Protection Church was closed and transferred for the construction of a club. The Epiphany Church was allocated for the construction of a school by the resolution of July 11, 1937. The Tikhvin Church remained the only one of the four in the city; it was decided not to demolish it but to convert it into a warehouse. Thanks to this, the church building has been preserved to this day.