Designed in the Pskov style of 12-13th century northern Russia. The first Russian Orthodox church in Los Angeles, it was founded by a congregation with few wealthy members, many of whom had served as officers in the Russian army and navy who fled Russia in the choas following the Russian Revolution and World War I.
In 1960, the church was enlarged to almost double its size with designs by B.A. Filiippov. In 1971 it was designated a cathedral by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America. The same year, architect S.N. Koschin designed a new building to house the Chapel of St. Herman of Alaska, a school building and sacristy.
The Cathedral is located at 650 Micheltorena Street.