It has been said that Naneh Maryam (Mother Mary) Church of Urmia is the first church in the East built by the magi who made the journey to Jerusalem to see Jesus Christ.

The present building of the church dates back to the Sassanid dynasty. According to accounts by Christian and Assyrian researchers, it used to be a Zoroastrian temple. At the birth of Jesus, the Zoroastrian magi who resided in this temple saw a bright star shooting eastward through the sky, took it as a sign of the birth of the Savior, and set out for Jerusalem. After returning to Urmia, these three magi converted the temple into a church, bringing the good tidings of the faith of Christianity to all people.

Naneh Maryam church is also known as the Assyrian Church of East. It has a relatively large courtyard, with most of its buildings and remains of the old church located at the Eastern side.

Two of the Zoroastrian magi have been referred to as Malcolm and Balshamer. The tombstones of all three were kept safe and intact in the church, until they were taken to Russia during the World War I, where they are now kept at a museum. The church is one of the most important structures of antiquity built by the Christian Assyrians, and their oldest church as well.

The church underwent several rounds of restoration throughout the centuries; the most famous of which by a Chinese prince named Baffrey. According to historical records, Prince Baffrey came to Mesopotamia to meet the Archbishop of Neynava in 642 AH. He then went to Urmia and stayed at the church, and restored the church during his stay.

In the year 1963, a new tower was added to the Church’s courtyard as a ceremonial hall. Today, the church is mostly considered a place of prayer and a historical monument.