The parish was founded by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew the First-Called in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1897. In 1899, the parish received a new impetus for development with the arrival of a group of Russian officers in Philadelphia, who were overseeing the construction of the ships "Varyag" and "Retvizan" for the Russian fleet. In 1902, thanks to donations from officers and sailors, a plot of land and a building on 5th Street were acquired and converted into a church.

Throughout its century-long history, the St. Andrew's Russian Orthodox Cathedral has experienced both times of decline and revival. When the Russian-speaking population began to actively migrate to the northeastern areas of Philadelphia and its suburbs, the cathedral was on the verge of closure, with only a few devoted parishioners supporting its activities. However, over time, the situation changed, and today the cathedral is experiencing a period of revival. Under its arches, several generations of Orthodox Christians from Russia, former Soviet republics, and Eastern European countries gather. The church is also visited by Americans who have embraced Orthodoxy. The cathedral maintains a connection with the historical homeland of its founders and parishioners.

For its centennial anniversary, a relic of Admiral Fyodor Ushakov was brought from the Saransk Diocese in Russia, who was canonized in 2001 and became the patron of the fleet. His icon was also delivered to Philadelphia. On its birthday, St. Andrew's Cathedral received another valuable gift, a bell tower with seven bells named after famous ships of the Russian fleet. Now, the residents of Philadelphia will often hear their ringing. The lowest and most solemn note of the bell tower is represented by two bells dedicated to the crews of heroic Russian ships: the cruiser "Varyag" and the nuclear submarine "Kursk."