The description of Tambov from 1658 mentions that in the Pokrovskaya sloboda, located south of the fortress, there were two churches: the Intercession of the Theotokos and St. Paraskeva the Great Martyr. They were likely in the same wooden building. In the 1760s, a fire completely destroyed this structure. In 1763, the construction of a new stone church began. The names of the project authors and builders have not survived. It is known that the construction took place under Bishop Pachomiy Simansky, who managed the Tambov diocese from 1758 to 1766. The architecture of churches at that time depended on the preferences of the head of the diocese. In the inspection report dated January 9, 1871, conducted by the Construction Department with the participation of city architect Karabutov, it was noted that the Pokrovskaya church was sturdy and built in the Russian-Byzantine style. It is recognized as one of the oldest buildings in Tambov and should be preserved in its current form. The document was signed by provincial engineer Sadovsky and architect A.S. Chetverikov.

By the mid-19th century, the old church became too small for the parishioners. In 1843, the Holy Synod approved the project for a new Pokrovskaya church. Its construction began in 1844 with funds from local honorary citizen I.M. Baikov and continued until 1867. During the construction, the church collapsed due to damage to the columns supporting the vaults and dome. The Synod allowed a wooden dome to be installed instead of a stone one. In 1869, with the participation of artist M.F. Snegirev, the construction was completed. In the inspection report compiled by architects Sadovsky and Meisher, it was noted that the church was built from quality materials, with no cracks in the arches and columns, except for a vertical one in the wall separating the altar. The Pokrovskaya church was an important symbol for the townspeople, as the consecration of the city took place on October 1, 1637, on the day of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, which remained one of the main holidays in Tambov for a long time.

In 1903, the church was transferred to the military department, but in 1918 it was closed and used as a warehouse and dormitory. In 1943, during a difficult wartime, the church was returned to the believers, and until 1988 it remained the only functioning church in the city, and until 1993, the cathedral.

Currently, the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos is active and is a monument of history and architecture from the mid-18th century.