Elias old Church in Gomel was built on the site of the dilapidated old believer Church of our Savior in 1737. Currently Elias Church is the only one in Gomel current old believer Church. Unique wooden monument of Belarusian architecture of the XVIII century, stands on the high Bank of the river Sozh. This Church there is a legend that supposedly Emelyan Pugachev was praying in her when he returned from Turkey.

There have been several attempts to close the Church of St. Elijah. First time in 1850, the Church tried to close the Gomel authorities under the pretext that it spoiled the view of the city opened the newly built road. Old believer community took the unprecedented step is applied to the Imperial authorities (knowing her dislike of old believers to the Royal power is a surprising fact), and, not immediately, but the community of the Church of St. Elijah returned.

The second time a large-scale agitation of the youth and the poor launched by the Bolsheviks, who tried atheistic propaganda to distract the least steadfast believers and engage in socialist construction. Not reaching goals, Stalin started the purges. The old believers were exiled to the Gulag camps, but the community continued to exist, despite all the trials. During Stalin's anti-religious persecution was murdered by the Abbot Elias Church, father John Mammoths.

In our time in Gomel is home to a large and thriving community of believers. Elias Church is operating in excellent condition, with well maintained and landscaped area.