The Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, built in 1870 or 1875, is a vivid example of eclecticism in the Russian-Byzantine style. Its construction was financed by the first guild merchant of Verkhneuralsk, Nikolai Petrovich Rytov, which is why the church is often referred to as Rytov's.

The church was created based on a design published in 1838 in the album "Church Projects," compiled by architect Konstantin Ton, known for his works in Moscow, such as the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Kremlin Palace. The album featured both built structures and "model projects" of churches, which were recommended in 1841 as examples of national architecture. These projects, approved by the Synod, were widely distributed throughout the Russian Empire and used in the design of churches.

According to the decrees of the Holy Synod from 1817 and 1841, which prescribed building churches in squares rather than among residential areas, the church was erected in a large square where a Cossack parade ground had previously been located. Although these decrees were likely aimed at protecting wooden structures from fires, they also contributed to a better perception of the church. Models in the Verkhneuralsk Local History Museum show that the church's bell tower originally had a tent-like top, which was later replaced with a dome.

The church was consecrated in 1885 by Bishop Benjamin Smirnov of Orenburg and Ural. In 1891, Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich attended a morning service at the church.

In the 1930s, the church was closed and used as a grain storage facility, but it reopened in 1942. Today, only the Nikolsky church operates, which is a towering dominant feature of the historical part of the city. Its architecture combines ancient Russian traditions with elements of classicism, representing a vivid example of the eclectic era.