The first Catholic church in Tbilisi was built by Dominican monks back in 1243. During the reign of Giorgi V Brilliant (1318-1346), on the order of the Roman Pope, a diocese was set up in Tbilisi and Catholic Church of Annunciation was built, presumably, at the same venue where it is today (at the gateway of historical Tbilisi, near the gates of Kojori. Today - 4 Abesadze st.). In 1795 Shah of Iran, Agha Mahmad Khan, during his invasion of Tbilisi demolished along with others also Catholic church. In 1804 under initiative of a vicegerent Pavel Tsitsianov a plan of a pseudo-Gothic style new church was designed, construction of which was finished in 1806 (fence was finished in 1825). The Church of Holy Virgin Mary functioned up to 20-ies of the XX century until it was shut down by the Bolsheviks. In 1998-1999 under the auspices of Bishop G. Pezotti the Church was renovated and became operational.