The slope, on which the church is located, was previously densely populated, as evidenced by the remains of numerous ancient buildings. Although the original function of the church remains unknown,[1] a large number of burials were found in the settlement, as well as inside the church itself. The Shoana church is essentially a smaller copy of North Zelenchuksky Church (besides Shoana having no narthex and western porch). Indisputable proof of copying is a characteristic combination of the eastern corner cells and the side bema into a single compartiment with one blind arch on the side wall.[1] Russian historians A.Vinogradov and D. Beletsky believe that the church was built by a local builders, who repeated a known pattern, but they were technically better trained than previous builders and could freely interpret the chosen form. It is very difficult[1] to associate the builders with a particular architectural school. There is no written evidence to accurately date the church. Only the picturesque scenery of the church sheds some light on its dating. The remains of the frescoes can be associated with the second layer of the painting in the Senty Church. Therefore, presumably the Shoana church was built in the late 10th – early 11th centuries. Thus, the Shoana church was built after the Central Zelenchuksky Church (950-960s), Senty (965) and North Zelenchuksky (late 960s - 970s) churches; it belongs to the third stage of the temple construction in Alania after returning to Christianity around 950.[1] At the end of the 19th century, Shoana church was turned into the church of the Alexander-Athos monastery. The temple was re-plastered, the roof was replaced, and the chapels were rebuilt.

In 2007 residents of the Kosta Khetagurov village made an unauthorized repair of the church after a series of appeals to the government of the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic. Late plaster in the interior of the church was roughly knocked down, under that plaster was the original plaster was found. As a result, a part of this original coating was lost, and nowadays on the newly discovered parts there are remains of ancient decorative painting. There are also Greek, Arabic, Georgian, Armenian and Russian inscriptions of various eras and numerous North Caucasian ancestral signs - tamga.[2] The eastern part of the church, closest to the village, was whitewashed. On April 30, 2011, unknown people set the temple on fire, but it was quickly eliminated, and the interior and icons were not damaged.[3]

On February 16, 2016 in Russia a silver commemorative coin dedicated to Shoana Church was released.[4]