The Saliena parish is one of the oldest Orthodox congregations in the Ilūkste area. The first wooden church on the land of Saliena manor was built in 1760. Over time, its wooden structures became unsafe, so in 1859, according to the order of the diocese, the church was closed and dismantled. The church of Saliena is built of broken boulders with a brick lining inside, the iconostasis is one-story, of high artistic value. For the blessing of Saliena parishioners, on the day of the church's consecration, Archbishop Arsenijs of Riga sent the holy picture "Installation of the Cross of Jesus".
On August 27, 1895, the church was ceremoniously consecrated and it received St. the name of John the Baptist.