The history of the Roman Catholic Church in Tambov dates back to the 1860s. After the suppression of the Polish uprising in 1863, many Polish Catholics were exiled to various provinces of Russia, and a significant number found themselves in the Tambov region. Over time, they settled in Tambov, and the need for a church as a spiritual and cultural center arose. In October 1896, the Catholics of Tambov gathered in the hall of the Public Library and decided to build their own church.

Sixty-three representatives, including the Swirchevskys, Kamenskys, Volskys, Kucevskys, and others, discussed funding and the location for the church's construction. A subscription was opened to raise funds. The estate of M. A. Kucevsky on Pokrovskaya Street was proposed for construction, next to the house of A. N. Chicherin. The estate was large enough to accommodate a temporary prayer house, which could later become a charitable institution. Funds for the charitable institution were bequeathed by doctor Voronich.

The project and estimate were prepared in 1898. Construction was overseen by a council of four: K. K. Volsky, engineer Theophil Swirchevsky, judicial investigator A. Kostetsky, and engineer-technologist Kazimir Dembovsky. Work was conducted under the guidance of Theophil Swirchevsky. By May 25, 1903, services began in the church, although it was not yet fully completed. Interior finishing continued for several years.

The cathedral, built in the Gothic style with numerous pointed arches and two tall towers, was unique for central Russia. Art historian G. K. Lukomsky noted its influence from Russian art. However, this architectural monument has only survived in rare pre-revolutionary postcards. A parish was established at the church, and a Catholic priest was appointed, subordinate to the Mogilev Metropolitan. The estate around the church was adorned with greenery and flowerbeds.

The church served the faithful for only 32 years. In 1918, authorities began seizing its property. The Mogilev Metropolitan wrote that the church's property in Russia was created from donations from foreign citizens, and the state had no rights to it. In the early 1920s, the library at the church was closed, and the books were transferred to the Polish Party Club. Priest Kazimir Verzbitsky was repressed in the 1930s.

In February 1935, organ music in the church fell silent. It was reported that the community had disbanded, and the church was no longer in use. The city council offered to rent the premises for cultural purposes, but there were no takers. In June 1936, it was proposed to convert the church into a sewing workshop. The spiritual values of the church were lost, and after the war, the organ was dismantled. For a long time, the building was used by a factory.

By the mid-1990s, the church was in a deplorable state. However, thanks to the efforts of journalist K.N. Denisov, the Catholic community was revived in 1996, and the building was returned to the faithful. With funds from Poland, the restoration of the church began. In 1998, the Eternal Light was lit in the church, and in 2000, crosses were consecrated and spires were installed. In 2001, bells donated by a Polish firm were consecrated and installed. The restoration of the church, under the guidance of Father Joseph Matis, was mostly completed. In 2007, a monument to Saint Nicholas was erected near the church.