The former owner of Smiltene Manor, Prince Paul Lieven, donated a plot of land to the Orthodox congregation for the construction of a church. 1895. On 25 July 1895, the cornerstone was laid, and construction began.

• Smiltene St Nicholas Orthodox Church was consecrated on 8 September 1896.
• Construction cost approximately 7,000 roubles, most of which was donated by Alexander Saveliev, the father of a justice of the peace from Moscow.
• The church’s first priest was Jānis Lietaviets; later services were led by Augustīns Pētersons, Romans Ziediņš, and Andrejs Pakalniņš.
• The church housed 12 icons and other valuable items recognised as works of art; however, some of these items were stolen at the end of 1992.

• This is the largest Orthodox church in Smiltene and its surrounding area; around 100 people attend services here at Christmas and Easter.
• Small, guided tours are available by prior arrangement with the congregation.