The Virgin Nativity Church was built in 1897 by the Zubalashvili brothers, in the Neo-Gothic style with three domes. During Soviet times it was used for various purposes including an archive and a high-voltage laboratory. Later the building was handed over to the Georgian Orthodox Church. In 1989 the Cathedral was consecrated by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II. Today the Virgin Nativity Cathedral is the main cathedral of the Batumi and Lazeti Dioceses.