The history of the Church in China spans many centuries, with the first official church opened in the 1680s in Beijing. Its founder and the first Orthodox priest in the country was Maxim Leontievich Tolstooukhov.

The story of the establishment of this church is quite interesting. In 1685, during the wars with the Russians in the Amur region, the Manchus besieged the fortress of Albazin, where several hundred Russian servicemen and Cossacks were located. After the fall of the fortress, the victors offered the captives to join the service of the emperor. About 600 Russians went to Nerchinsk, while at least 45 decided to stay and serve the Qing. Among them was Father Maxim Leontievich Tolstooukhov, who brought with him an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and items for worship.

The Qing dynasty included the Russians in the elite guard, provided them with housing, and allowed them to marry the widows of executed criminals. Over time, their descendants became Sinicized and by the second generation spoke little Russian. However, the Orthodox faith was preserved thanks to Father Maxim's efforts. With the authorities' permission, he transformed a former Buddhist temple in the Hutong area of Hujiawan into an Orthodox church, which the Russians called Nikolskaya in honor of the icon from Albazin. He not only cared for his flock but also preached among the local residents.

In 1696, Deacon Lavrenty Ivanov arrived from Tobolsk, bringing church supplies and consecrating the church in the name of Saint Sophia. However, the congregation continued to call it Nikolskaya.

Father Maxim, according to testimonies, was a man of a combative and decisive character, like many of his contemporaries. Together with parishioners serving in the emperor's army, he participated in campaigns and even shaved his head in the Manchu style. He served until his death in 1712.