Initially, the archiepiscopal enclosure, built between 1670 and 1672, had several gates, but almost all of them are now bricked up. At the end of the 17th century, instead of a tent-like roof over the main Holy Gates leading to the Sophia Cathedral, a small gate church dedicated to the Elevation was built, consecrated in 1692.

This building, modest in architecture, has a traditional composition of volumes. A small square structure with one dome rises above a rectangular altar and a narrow refectory, shifted to the north. The rectangular shape of the altar was characteristic of gate churches in the 17th century.

The Elevation Church was abolished around the same time the warm Resurrection Cathedral was being built, that is, in the 1770s. After its abolition, the Diocesan Ancient Repository was established here, initiated by the Vologda historian and archaeologist N.I. Suvorov. In 1896, the repository was opened and transferred to the management of the "Permanent Church Archaeological Commission of History and Antiquities Enthusiasts."

The gate church of the Elevation has survived to this day, although its appearance has been altered by a dome covering and an ornate dome from the 18th century. According to G.K. Lukomskiy, behind the economic building is the gate church, connected to a smaller and less significant building. The church is a tall square structure adorned with pilasters and covered with a flat dome topped with a baroque finial of complex design. Adjacent to the church is a projection with a passage arch, part of which has been bricked up. This projection is connected to a gallery with small windows on the upper floor and two wide arches below, which have also been bricked up. The gallery connects to the Cross Church, which is a taller square structure decorated with pilasters and a series of kokoshniks at the top. The cube is covered with a four-pitched roof with a finial and a large dome. Further on is a residential building, and outside, the northern part of the "archiepiscopal courtyard" is adjoined by an open gallery on six pillars, which have a square base below and a column-like appearance above. The white parts of the gallery stand out against the dark background of the wall, especially in places where the roof casts a dense shadow. The balusters between the columns of the gallery stand out even more brightly.