The Spaso-Transfiguration Church was one of the oldest in Saratov. Its construction began in the late 17th century after Saratov was returned to the right bank of the Volga in 1674 and the burned-down Four Saints Monastery was relocated to the city in 1693. The monastery was situated at the foot of Sokolochka Mountain, and its main church became the church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. It was made of stone, with a left chapel dedicated to the Moscow saints Peter, Alexius, Jonah, and Philip. In 1764, the monastery was named Spaso-Transfiguration. After a fire on June 21 (July 3) 1811, the monastery was moved outside the city, and the church was restored as a parish with funds from merchant Khrisanf Obraztsov. In 1825, Archimandrite Arseny consecrated the chapel of the four saints, and on June 14 (26), 1829, Bishop Moisey consecrated the main altar of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

In 1868, with funds from church elder Shchegolkov, a new chapel was established in the church in memory of the salvation of Alexander II after an assassination attempt in Paris on May 25 (June 6), 1867. The chapel in honor of John the Baptist was consecrated on November 29 (December 11), 1870, by the local dean Smirnovsky. By the end of the 1870s, the church had about 324 households and around 3,285 parishioners.

The old church became cramped and dilapidated, so in 1886, provincial engineer-architect Shuster developed a project for major repairs and expansion of the building. The project included the reconstruction of the bell tower and two extensions to the main church and altar, which were connected by four arches. Inside, the building was painted with oil paint, and the altars were decorated with sacred paintings. The first six thousand rubles for the reconstruction were donated by the Shchegolkov family. Work began on June 14 (26), 1886, and was completed on November 16 (28), 1897, with the consecration of the rebuilt chapels.

By the beginning of the 20th century, the parish had about 600 houses and 2,500 believers. The clergy included two priests, a deacon, and two psalmists, for whom church houses were built. A church-parish school operated at the church.

During the Soviet era, the Spaso-Transfiguration Church was closed and destroyed. Today, an institute for teacher improvement stands in its place.