The Orthodox Saint Maximilian’s Bell Tower was founded in 1847 at the corner of Pokrovsky Avenue (now Malysheva Street) and Uktusskaya Street (now 8 Marta Street). The tower was part of a monumental project that envisaged the construction of a grandiose cathedral similar to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. However, the project by architect Vasily Morgan from Saint Petersburg turned out to be too expensive. This and a number of other circumstances made it possible to build the bell tower only. It became a church in 1876.
The name of the church is unusual for the Orthodox Church and is connected with the visit of Duke Maximilian of Leuchtenberg, son-in-law of Emperor Nicholas I, to the city. In 1845, the Duke made a grand tour of the Ural plants. Ekaterinburg residents obtained permission from the distinguished guest to consecrate the church as the Church of Saint Maximilian the Great Martyr. This was done to mark this significant event in the history of the city.
This church was the tallest building (the height of the dome with a cross is 77.2 m) in old Ekaterinburg and had the largest bell, the 1000-pound Bolshoi Zlatoust (Great Chrysostom). It gave the church its second name. After the establishment of Soviet power, the church functioned until 1930 when it was blown up. In 2006, it was decided to restore the Bolshoi Zlatoust Church on its original site. The church was reopened on 9 February 2013.
