The Cathedral of the Protection of the Holy Virgin was consecrated by a priestly rite on April 11, 1993. Later, on December 4, 2010, Bishop Longin of Saratov and Volsk conducted the rite of Great Consecration. The cathedral building, constructed in 1880 according to the design of architect Alexei Markovich Salko, replaced the dilapidated stone church.

In 1736, there was a Protection Convent in the vicinity of Petrovsk, the exact date of its foundation is unknown. By 1764, the convent was located near the city fortress. Clergy and church servants, including a priest, deacon, and others, served at the convent. The inventory noted that 32 fathoms of stone and 70,000 bricks were prepared for the construction of a new stone church, but additional funds were needed. By the decree of Catherine II, the convent was abolished, and a small stone church became a parish church. In 1880, a brick church with a bell tower was built in its place according to Salko's design, funded by donations and support from the Petrovsk community. Merchants Tikhomirov, Novichkov, and Shvetsov actively participated in the construction. The church was three-nave, but historical documents do not provide information about the consecration of the chapels.

In 1937, the church was closed, church valuables were confiscated, and the community was exiled to Siberia. The building was used as a warehouse and remained vacant. Until 1995, a radio broadcasting center was located in the bell tower. In 1960, the domes were destroyed, leading to damage to the supporting structures. By the time the church was handed over to the Orthodox Church, the walls had partially collapsed, and the vaults and arches were in an emergency state.

In 1989, a group was formed to restore the Protection Church, and a targeted bank account was opened. Archbishop Pimen sent a priest there. In 1993, the altar of the church was consecrated by a priestly rite. The complex, including the church, church house, and former church shop, was transferred to the Orthodox Church. On October 13, 2009, the church received as a gift the icon "Assembly of the Saints of Nizhny Novgorod Land" with the relics of the Diveyevo saints and Saint Seraphim of Sarov. On December 4, 2010, Bishop Longin conducted the rite of Great Consecration of the church.