There are not many settlements in the Komi Republic with such a rich history like the village of Ust-Vym. It is a village situated on the right bank of the river Vym at its confluence to Vychegda, 25 kilometers from Aikino in the Ust-Vym region. The foundation of Ust-Vym is connected with the name of one of the greatest workers of middle-age Russia, Stephan Permskiy.

In 1379 he went to baptize permyan in Pyros (at present – the town of Kotlas), then upper on Vychegda to baptize komi people living on thr river Vilyad. In 1380 he got to the mouth of the river Vym and found the town of Ust-Vym. In 1383 the Perm eparchy was founded, and Stephen became the first bishop of Perm. The foundation of the eparchy played an important role for the Komi Republic as it meant its joining to the Moscow Rus. Since that time flourishing of Ust-Vym which became the administrative and religious center of the Komi Republic started.

After the death of Stephan PermskiyUst-Vym was developing. But gradually its significance started to fall. In the 18-19th centuries Ust-Vym became a quiet village which, however, retained the memory of its past greatness.

In the beginning of the 18th century stone church building started in Ust-Vym. It was there that the first stone temples in the Komi Republic were built. The first two-storeyed of them appeared in 1711-1712. Then on the adjust hill Annunciation and Stephan single-storeyed temples were constructed. In 1795 Michalo-Arkhangelskaya church was built on “posadsky” hill. It replaced a wooden monastic church of the same name.

Unfortunately, the magnificence of Ust-Vym churches can be found only at old photos. Persecution of the church under the Soviet government touched Ust-Vym churches. In 1930’s they were closed, Annunciation and Ascension temples were destroyed, as well as the bell tower and the tombs of perm saints. Only Stephan and Michalo-Arkhangelskaya churches survived.

Now a culture preserve is located in the village. Exposition on the history of the village is expanding. The decision on saving the old part of Ust-Vym and creation of an outdoor museum in it was passed.