See all properties
Entire home

Gathering families, friends, & coworkers

Photo gallery for Gathering families, friends, & coworkers

Former Lutheran Church remodeled into a vacation home
West side of Great Room
Center of Great Room
South West corner of Great Room
Opposite view of South West Corner

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
14 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 681114.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Gym

Explore the area

Map
Clear Lake, WI
  • Clear Lake Area Historical Museum
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Apple River
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • St. Croix Casino Turtle Lake
    ‪20 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

14 bedrooms (sleeps 68)

Airplane Adventure Room #202

2 Queen Beds

Angel Room #104

2 Single Bunk Beds and 1 Queen Bed

Bell Tower Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Bicycle Adventure Room #107

1 Queen Bed and 2 Single Bunk Beds

Bird Sanctuary Room #108

1 Queen Bed and 2 Single Bunk Beds

Bunk Room #1 Garden Level

+2
6 Single Bunk Beds

Bunk Room #2 Garden Level

+3
7 Single Bunk Beds

Floral Room #101

2 Queen Beds

Hockey Room #105

1 Double Futon and 1 Queen Bed

Lady Luxury Room #106

1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Sun Room #102

2 Queen Beds and 2 Double Beds

Teal Traditions Room #201

2 Queen Beds

Third Level Couch

1 Double Futon

Train Room #103

2 Queen Beds and 1 Single Bed

World Traveler Room #203

2 Queen Beds

2 bathrooms, 4 half bathrooms

Bird Bath Lower Level

Toilet · Shower only

Garden Bath Lower Level

Toilet · Shower only

Ladies Shower Room

Shower only

Men's Restroom

Toilet

Men's Shower Room

Shower only

Second Level Full Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Second Level Half bath

Toilet

Women's Restroom

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Gathering families, friends, & coworkers

A large church dining hall and kitchen are just a few of the amazing gathering spaces in this facility. The Great Room, overlook, bar, large deck, and lower level lounge provide space for relaxation and fun. This is the perfect set up for family and friends, set in beautiful Western Wisconsin... just an hour from the Twin Cities or Eau Claire, WI. Reunions, retreats, weddings, and recreational gatherings recommended!

Property manager

Bobbi Schlussler
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Front of house.

Sleepy Deer Chalet! Spacious, Well-Appointed home on Beautiful Lake Wapogasset!

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
10.0 out of 10, (20 reviews)
Sleepy Deer Chalet! Spacious, Well-Appointed home on Beautiful Lake Wapogasset!

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
default

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please do your best to put games and puzzles back, complete in their boxes.
Seasonal parking restrictions: No overnight parking on city streets during the winter season. Off street parking is available on our empty lot.
Please return the furniture to the position you found it in. Take a picture when you arrive, if you plan to move it around.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 99
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Clear Lake

Located in Clear Lake, this holiday home is in a rural area. Travellers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Clear Lake Area Historical Museum, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Joel Marsh Wildlife Area and Magnor Lake. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Clear Lake, WI

What's nearby

  • Clear Lake Area Historical Museum - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Apple River - 17 min drive - 12.6 km
  • St. Croix Casino Turtle Lake - 20 min drive - 24.9 km
  • Wapogasset Lake - 24 min drive - 22.6 km
  • Somerset Amphitheater - 48 min drive - 59.4 km

Restaurants

  • ‪China Garden - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Lake Magnor Store - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Cabin Bar & Grill - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Ellie's Ice Cream & Coffee - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Gathering families, friends, & coworkers pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Gathering families, friends, & coworkers?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Gathering families, friends, & coworkers?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Gathering families, friends, & coworkers located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is steps from Clear Lake Area Historical Museum and within 9 mi (15 km) of Magnor Lake and Apple River. Amery Dog Park and Camelia Lake are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 36 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 36 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 36 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tim G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bobbi was wonderful throughout our time there at the Sanctuary. We had 46 people staying there for our family reunion and it was amazing! The kitchen was fully stocked. We had 2 large gathering places and the beds were comfortable. Checkout was smooth too. We liked it so much that we will be going back for our next family reunion.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Jodi H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family

The property was clean, spacious and interesting. The fire pit area was a little award, felt like we were in someone's backyard. If you have someone who is physically challenged and don't handle stairs well. It could be a challenge.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Margie O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Big Family Getaway

This was an amazing property for our large family to gather together to celebrate Christmas. There was plenty of sleeping, dining and gathering space.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Holiday

We had a great stay in Clear Lake. The house was big enough to comfortably fit our large extended family and the location was close to the everything. The beds were comfy, the kitchen was well equipped for large meals, and the gathering areas were perfect for our group. We will definitely stay again!!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Guin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect family gathering

We appreciated how thought out and well equipped the property was.The kitchen was stocked with everything we could possibly need and the rooms were spacious. This property was perfect for our large group.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

CJ S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for a Family Reunion

We had an amazing stay at The Gathering for our family reunion from July 16–20. With 38 people, we were concerned about space and comfort, but this property delivered in every way. There was plenty of room for everyone to sleep, gather, eat, and relax without ever feeling cramped.The host was fantastic—super responsive and helpful from start to finish. Every question or need was handled quickly, which made the experience even better.The town is charming, and the nearby lake views were surreal—peaceful, picturesque, and perfect for family photos or just soaking in the beauty.A heads-up for future guests: the property does have a fair amount of stairs to navigate, so keep that in mind if you have older guests or anyone with mobility challenges. That said, it wasn’t a problem for our group.Overall, this was a perfect home base for making memories. Highly recommend for large groups looking for a clean, spacious, and welcoming place to stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Betsy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Very nice layout of property.

Very nice property with great layout.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Jordan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Youth Group Trip

This location was perfect for a large group. Lots of space for everyone and a great kitchen and dining space.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

David J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family reunion

Beautiful facility that easily accommodated our large group.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Reunion - 59 individuals

Lots of space for people to move around and visit - some wide-open, others more intimate. Well-furnished kitchen with lots of room to cook and serve. The dining area easily sat our group. Many refrigerators and a full freezer to keep things cold. Beds were comfortable with extra blankets available. Lots of soft towels provided. Grill and flattop worked well. The space stayed comfortably cool, and additional fans were provided in most bedrooms. We were concerned about bathroom facilities, but they are more than sufficient for our 3-generation group.Be advised that there are many stairs to climb to get from place to place - essentially four levels. Our group navigated this just fine with lots of parental supervision for the little ones.Lots of space for outdoor kids games, and tons of games and playing areas for all ages that didn't involve screen. The rain day we had was not an issue.The manager was very helpful answering questions before we arrived and would have been available during our stay had we needed her.It really was the perfect location for our needs.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Madeline S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A fantastic second stay

This was our second time staying at the sanctuary with 12 adults and 14 kids. It was the absolute perfect space for us. Plenty of room for meals and for kids to run around. Plenty of bedrooms so we all had our own space and a great lounge area upstairs. Super close to the lake and a short drive from the Twin Cities. We look forward to coming back next year.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lizzie L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful family vacation

Our large extended family had a lovely stay here. Fully stocked doesn't even come close to describing the kitchen. Very comfortable for a large group! Highly recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Madeline S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful spot for a large group

We loved our stay at The Sanctuary! It was the perfect spot for our large group, including many small children. Plenty of space for meals, play, and hanging out. We appreciated the fully stocked kitchen and laundry. We look forward to coming back next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristin S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautuful Property

The property is beautiful. The owners have gone the extra mile to provide a nice, clean and comfortable stay. The furnishings are nice and new, beds are comfortable and the linens are fresh and cozy. I would recommend this property and would come back again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeannie L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

This was a great place

We had a family reunion here with 37 people. The space was awesome! Lots of spaces for all of us to gather together. The kitchen was amazing!! The manager was great and very accommodating! We would definitely consider staying here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christopher M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sanctuary was awesome

a group of old friends stayed for a weekend to play board games and reconnect. The sanctuary was the perfect match for space and sleeping arrangements. Thanks!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Helen H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Large family

We are a large family group, coming from all over the country. This was an ideal place for us to be together. The large kitchen allowed us to cook together; the multiple living spaces allowed various groups to be together -- or apart. Lots of bedrooms allowed us to sleep as privately as we wanted.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Senia D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Halteman Christmas

Ww loved how much room there was for the 40 of us. There were tables to play games, put puzzles together, quiet places to nap or several seating areas to have great conversation.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Juan s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

All you can Ask for a Rental Property

We rented this property for our family Christmas party. The place is huge with plenty of room for the whole family of 24 people. The house has all you can possibly need. We really had a good time here.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

william m w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

sanctuary...clear lake

very spacious and clean. timely responses from owner and very helpful property manager. we had about 30 people and all seemed to enjoy this facility.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Susan P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Place for Large Groups

The Sanctuary is a great spot for large gatherings!! Very clean, huge fully equipped kitchen and dining area. Plenty of space to hide away for a little alone/work time if needed. Property manager was on top of things and so helpful. Town is small and welcoming and an hour from the twin cities. Definitely recommend this property!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christopher S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Huge space, perfect for our needs

Property manager was kind, communicative, and responsive to questions. Thoroughly cleaned. Tons of beds, private bedroom space, huge kitchen well stocked with equipment and dishes, and multiple large areas to hang out. We had ~35 people and there was tons of extra space. Clear Lake is a charming town, very small, with friendly locals and a grocery store in short walking distance. Just an hour from MSP airport as well. We had a wonderful time and intend to return when we come back through the region. Perfect!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Valerie A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing accommodations

We had a family reunion at the Sanctuary. This place met all our needs. We cooked our own meals in the large kitchen and the dining hall had more than enough tables. There were plenty of bedrooms for everyone. The variety of gathering spaces was great - plenty of areas to just hang out. I highly recommend
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent place to stay for large groups

We celebrated the New Year with 26 adults and 8 kids and had plenary of room. The house is well stocked and the kitchen is great for preparing and feeding a large group. We really enjoyed our stay and hopefully will be back again one day. The project manager was available around the clock and came to our need when we accidentally locked ourself out of a room.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jack E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great spot for a family reunion

22 of us stayed at the property for a week-long family reunion. We've been doing this for decades at different locations, and this property was one of the best and most suitable we've found. Minor problems were quickly resolved by the property manager. Tons of parking and much to do in the area. A wonderful and impressively spacious place to stay. Highly recommended.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Bobbi Schlussler

Host profile image

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback