More than three centuries ago on the banks of the river Kem was laid for the Cathedral of the assumption, who took on the role of the symbol of the Northern city. Many have seen the Cathedral for their centuries of existence. In the mid-17th century on the site of the present Cathedral, stood the Cathedral with the same name assumption, it was built on the funds of the Solovetsky monastery and had two limits – Zosim-Savvatievo and Baptist.

In 1710 the Kem part of the town was burned along with this Council. A year after the fire in the same place began to build a new Cathedral, with two chapels: assumption Church (consecrated in 1717) and Zosim – Savvat chapel (consecrated in 1714).

The main features of the new Cathedral was similar to its predecessor that is typical of traditional wooden architecture. The Cathedral stands on Apostrophe washed two arms of the river Kem. Is the Cathedral of the assumption of several parts: Dormition Church, which is the crown of the architectural composition, and Nicholas Zosim-Savvat aisles, porch, dining room and porch. The dining hall is located to the West of the temple and has a square shape, with the South and North, with its blend of two chapels: St. Nicholas and Zosim – Savvat.

The Cathedral with the exception of frame porch is made from a single frame, without a single nail. Unlike others in the assumption Cathedral in Kem, there is one interesting detail – the iconostasis at the top was lit by cut through the ceiling window. Thanks to this light source, invisible to the visitors, standing with my back to him, one can observe an unusual effect of "glowing" of the iconostasis.

In early December, 1876, the Cathedral of the assumption was considered to be too old and therefore closed by the parishioners, who loved this Church, "renewal" was launched in 1889. During this period, the repair has been made in all parts of the Cathedral, but the main emphasis is made on the "renewal" of interior decoration Kem Cathedral.

For decades, through Pomerania and Kem are the most famous routes of tourists who arrived in Karelia. The assumption Cathedral is the place where the people travelling on the Northern edges, can not only admire the skill of the sculptors of the 18th century and contemporaries – restorers, but also to receive the sacrament prayers in existing Kem Cathedral. In 1989 was founded the Parish of the assumption Cathedral, today it is used for Church services.

Professionals-architects believe Kem Cathedral - the pearl and "encyclopedia" of Northern wooden folk architecture of the early 18th century. In 2006, by order of the head of Karelia Sergey Kanatova, building Kem assumption Cathedral was transferred to the gratuitous use Kem Annunciation monastery in the name of the new Martyrs and Confessors of Russia.