The Cathedral of St. Catherine the Great Martyr in Slobodskoy is a true architectural gem that has served as an important spiritual, educational, and cultural center of the city for over three hundred years, holding cathedral status. It is the oldest stone building in Slobodskoy, first mentioned in written sources from the early 17th century. In 1615, documents testify to the existence of a wooden church of St. Catherine in the city. In 1629, the "Book of Vyatka Suburbs" describes a wooden church with a refectory and bells. In 1681, a fire destroyed a significant part of the city, including the Catherine Church.

It took almost twenty years after the fire for the temple to be restored in stone. In 1692, entrepreneur Trifon Karkin cast a large bell for the Vyatka Cathedral and began supplying local churches with bells. In 1699, Archbishop Ion permitted the construction of a stone church of the Ascension and Catherine. At that time, there were no local stonemasons in the region, so Moscow masters were invited, from whom Vyatka builders learned. By the end of the 17th century, there were already artels in the region capable of erecting churches.

The Catherine Church was built on the banks of the Vyatka River. The experience of constructing the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Church in Khlynov was used in its erection. This is confirmed by the authorship of the artel of Ivan Nikonov, which introduced elements of luxury and rhythm into the church. Legend has it that the masters competed in decorating the windows, and when the scaffolding was removed, the crowd gasped at the beauty of the stone lace.

In 1753, a church of the Ascension of the Lord was added to the temple, but its walls deteriorated due to poor masonry. In 1823, a fire destroyed the wooden roof, and in 1847 the building was dismantled. In 1853, the temple acquired three altars, and the consecration ceremonies were attended by Bishop Elpidifor and Archimandrite Ambrose. By 1858, a cohesive temple complex with a three-tiered bell tower had formed.

In 1837, Alexander II visited Slobodskoy and noted it as a good city. The cathedral's metric book records the birth of Ilya Tchaikovsky, the grandfather of the great composer. In 1877, a public garden was laid out near the churches. By 1917, the cathedral had a protodeacon, three priests, psalmists, and a deacon. The choir under the direction of Kuvshinsky was considered one of the best in the diocese.

The Cathedral of Catherine, a representative of Vyatka Baroque, combines Moscow patriarchality and Petersburg architecture. It is built of brick and united with the Ascension Church into a single ensemble. In 1914, the building was reconstructed according to the design of I. A. Charushin, with the addition of a refectory and two chapels. These innovations changed the appearance of the cathedral, but its aesthetics and rich decor remain impressive.

The decor of the cathedral is compared to a snow-white cake or gingerbread. The windows are adorned with intricate stucco and carved patterns. Each window opening is unique, reflecting the craftsmanship of the stonemasons. The interior decor changed in the early 20th century when the temple was expanded. In 1921, Sergey Sutorikhin described it as bright and spacious. The iconostases, made by Vyatka masters, are distinguished by classical traditions and fine carving.

The frescoes of the cathedral create a special atmosphere, attracting visitors. Among the venerated icons is the icon of the Mother of God "Comfort in Sorrows and Griefs," brought from Athos in 1863. It symbolizes the peace and comfort that believers find in the temple.