In 1810, hieromonk Gennady received a blessing to build a stone bell tower with a church in honor of St. Nicholas and a hospital with a church in the name of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky. The bell tower was laid that same year, but the work dragged on until the middle of the century, and the consecration of the church took place only in 1857.

Historian S.B. Bakhmustov notes that the bell tower was likely built before Gennady's resignation in 1816, as in 1813 Bishop Moisey awarded him for his efforts in erecting the cathedral and other structures. The Alexander Nevsky church was not mentioned, indicating its low level of readiness, as funds were directed towards the bell tower.

Bakhmustov points out that the finishing of the bell tower was delayed due to the small church of St. Nicholas, which was forgotten and left incomplete. In the 1820s, the monks updated the interior and ordered an iconostasis, but it remained empty until 1855 when Archimandrite Niphont commissioned artist Vasily Demin to paint the icons. In 1857, Bishop Varlaam consecrated the church.

The architecture of the bell tower is described as a powerful cube with thick walls capable of bearing a heavy load. The bell tower had a tunnel for ceremonial occasions, and a staircase led to the second floor. The walls of the second floor were thinner but still strong enough. The bell tower featured classicist elements such as pediments and windows, and was oriented towards Moscow classicism.

Unfortunately, during the Soviet era, the bell tower and the Nicholas church were severely damaged: frescoes and icons were destroyed, and the ascent was ruined. Despite the preservation of the main elements, the masonry on the upper tiers suffered. Currently, external finishing has been completed, the roof, dome, and cross have been restored, but the church requires further restoration and replacement of the holy gates.