The fortress city arose at a convenient crossing over the Seversky Donets River thanks to the first settlers who fled from the Catholic tyranny of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from Right-Bank Ukraine. In 1638, Hetman Yatsko Ostryanin, along with the Cossacks, appealed to the Moscow Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich for land from the ancient Chuhuiv settlement for permanent residence. The Cossacks committed to building a city and a fortress on the vacant territory with their own resources. The Tsar could not refuse such a request, especially considering his promise to protect the Cossacks from Polish-Lithuanian persecution. The fortified points loyal to Moscow would help solidify claims to these lands against the Crimean Tatars and the Union of Lublin.

The official construction of the first cathedral in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord, as well as Chuhuiv itself, began in 1638. The wooden church was built simultaneously with the fortress walls and towers. It symbolized divine protection and hope for a new homeland. In 1639, the construction was completed, and in 1640, the church was consecrated. However, it burned down in 1644.

In June of the same year, Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich sent 20 rubles for the construction of a new church, indicating the need to erect an altar in the name of Mikhail Malein. According to the census book compiled by the order of Voivode Yakov Volkonsky, the church was built from oak logs and equipped with icons and bells donated by the Tsar. In 1647-1648, four more churches were built in Chuhuiv. The Cathedral of the Transfiguration was considered the main one, and an annual procession was held around the fortress ramparts.

In 1801, the cathedral was reconstructed: preserving the oak walls, its dome was rebuilt from pine boards. In 1811, there were four bells in the bell tower. The church was located in the northeastern part of the fortress, where the Cossack settlers lived. The introduction of military settlements predetermined the fate of the church, and in 1824 it was abolished. In 1826, the construction of a new stone church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin began, designed by Vasily Stasov. The work was completed by 1832, and in 1834 the church was consecrated.

In the early 20th century, a renewal movement arose, and the Intercession Cathedral was handed over to the group "Living Church." In the late 1920s, the church was closed, and its building and bell tower were disfigured. During the Soviet era, the building was used as a warehouse and dormitory. In 2003, the lower church was handed over to the Intercession religious community, and in 2010 it was fully returned to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Initially, the Intercession Cathedral was a cubic building in the classical style with columned porticos and a gallery. After the reconstruction in 1872, its volume increased, and it became cross-domed. During the Soviet period, the bell tower was dismantled, but in 1972, restoration began, and some architectural elements were restored. The restoration of the bell tower is planned soon.