The congregation was established in 1887 by East Slavs, Carpatho-Rusins, Ukrainians, Ruthenians, and Russians, who began to arrive in the area in 1877; most belonged to the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church (Uniate Rite) that was loyal to Rome. Initially, they worshipped in German and Polish Catholic churches but soon began to want a church of their own where they could use the language and rituals of their homeland. A lot was purchased at 1629 5th St. NE and a small frame church was erected in 1887. A dispute with Bishop John Ireland over the hiring of a married Byzantine priest caused the Slavs to part company with the Diocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and to affiliate with the Russian Orthodox Diocese. After the frame church was destroyed by fire in 1904 a new church designed by Boehme and Cordelia was erected on the site. Dedicated in 1906, the church is a smaller version of St. Nicholas Cossack Cathedral in Omsk, Russia, which served as its inspiration, and is one of the most impressive churches in Northeast Minneapolis. The interior is replete with an iconostasis hung with icons, wall paintings, and crystal chandeliers. Czar Nicholas II donated $5,000 to the St. Mary's Orthodox Church.