This small Orthodox church is not in Russia, but in a tiny American village called Muddy, which translates to "Grits" in Russian, located in the state of Illinois. The parish in Muddy emerged in the early 20th century when Russian immigrants from Western Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, and other Eastern European countries arrived here. Poverty and need drove them to embark on such a long journey. Previously, there were coal mines near Muddy. When their resources were depleted, the company moved, and the Russian miners also left the village. Now only a few families remain here.

The church dedicated to St. Joasaph was founded on June 27, 1913, as noted on the church's cornerstone. It was considered "Patriarchal" and was built with funds from the imperial Orthodox mission when the North American diocese was headed by Archbishop Platon (Rozhdestvensky). Although a house was built for the priest, none of them lived in it, coming to serve from other places. 40 miles from Muddy is the town of Royalton, where a Russian Orthodox church operates. The priest from there occasionally comes to conduct services.