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Stay in a Beautifully Restored 1895 Church, A Unique Bear Lake Getaway

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Exterior
Property video
Exterior
Point of interest
Point of interest

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue
  • Garden

Explore the area

View map
Bear Lake, MI
  • Place, Glovers Lake
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Chestnut Hills Golf Course
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Crystal Mountain
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Airport, Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker)
    ‪22 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 3

2 Single Bunk Beds and 1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Stay in a Beautifully Restored 1895 Church, A Unique Bear Lake Getaway

Welcome to The Old Lighthouse Church at Bear Lake – a one-of-a-kind vacation rental where historic charm meets modern comfort. Originally built in 1895, this beautifully restored church has been transformed into a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home that comfortably sleeps up to 10 guests (A California King bed, 2 Queen beds, 2 Twin beds and a Full bed).

Step inside and experience soaring ceilings, unique architectural details, and cozy living spaces perfect for families, couples, or groups. The open-concept living and dining area offers plenty of room to relax after a day of exploring Northern Michigan. Cook up a feast in the fully-equipped kitchen or fire up the BBQ grill outside for a sunset dinner under the stars.

Gather around the outdoor fire pit for s’mores and stories, or enjoy mornings with a cup of coffee in the yard that backs up to 2 wooded acres. With ample parking, this home is perfect for guests bringing trailers, toys, or extra vehicles.

Conveniently located right off Highway 31, you're just:

· 15 minutes from Crystal Mountain (skiing, golf, hiking)

· 15 minutes from Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course

· 20 minutes from Frankfort and Lake Michigan beaches

· 55 minutes from Traverse City

· 5 minutes to Bear Lake, with easy access to the Butwell Rd Public Beach

· 15 minutes to Crystal Lake

· Close to countless other lakes, rivers, ATV/snowmobile trails (including The Bear Lake Spur Trail that connects to 6500 miles of groomed trails), and scenic drives

Whether you’re chasing powder in the winter, hitting the golf course in summer, salmon fishing in the fall or just looking to unwind in a place filled with history and charm – this is your perfect sanctuary in Northern Michigan.

Book your stay today and make memories in this truly divine getaway!

No pets allowed.

Check us out on Instagram and Facebook! @1895lighthousechurch

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 21

Check out before 11:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

No pets allowed

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:

Strip any used beds and gather used towels

Remove personal items and take out the rubbish

Turn off the lights and lock the doors

Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

No glitter or confetti

Important information

You need to know

Property # 4644179vb
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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

About the area

Bear Lake

Bear Lake is home to this holiday home. Michigan Legacy Art Park and Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Chestnut Hills Golf Course and Wolf River Golf Park. Enjoy the area's slopes with snowboarding and skiing, and don't miss out on the sledging and snowmobiling.
View more Holiday homes in Bear LakeOpens in a new window
Map
Bear Lake, MI

What's nearby

  • Glovers Lake - 3 min drive - 4.4 km
  • Chestnut Hills Golf Course - 4 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Misty Acres Preserve - 7 min drive - 11.2 km
  • Wolf River Golf Park - 7 min drive - 10.8 km
  • Crystal Mountain - 10 min drive - 15.6 km

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 19 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chestnut Hills Golf Course - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Iron Fish Distillery - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Grille 44 - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪MT Plate Diner - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Lake Side Cafe - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Stay in a Beautifully Restored 1895 Church, A Unique Bear Lake Getaway pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Stay in a Beautifully Restored 1895 Church, A Unique Bear Lake Getaway?

As of 16 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Stay in a Beautifully Restored 1895 Church, A Unique Bear Lake Getaway on 9 August 2026 start from NZ$462, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Stay in a Beautifully Restored 1895 Church, A Unique Bear Lake Getaway?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Stay in a Beautifully Restored 1895 Church, A Unique Bear Lake Getaway?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Stay in a Beautifully Restored 1895 Church, A Unique Bear Lake Getaway?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Stay in a Beautifully Restored 1895 Church, A Unique Bear Lake Getaway located?

Situated in Bear Lake, this holiday home is 2.6 mi (4.2 km) from Chestnut Hills Golf Course and 2.6 mi (4.3 km) from Glovers Lake. Misty Acres Preserve and Wolf River Golf Park are also within 6 miles (10 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. 10 out of 11 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 11 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 11 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 11 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 11 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

4.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Thomas D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice place to stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 5 August 2025
We loved having your group! You’re welcome back any time!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dale M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelly D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy place with lots of charm! Beds were comfy, my kids loved the large shower heads, and it was perfect proximity to Crystal Mountain for skiing. Thanks!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeret M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful place to stay! Very clean and well kept.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tracy W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful restored church Very clean. We visited 2 casinos and family’s a ski day at Crystal Mt. Host was responsive Would of liked a drip coffee pot and more pans for large group. Really enjoyed book that showed a history of church and the restoration. Good location easy to find. Busy road
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

fatima k.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The check-in process was great for a large group. The place is very modern, clean, and comfortable. Great location to see the stars and enjoy some peace and quiet
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 13 October 2025
Thanks again for choosing us. We hope you host you again in the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Makenna G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice property. My friends and I had a great time.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 5 August 2025
Thanks for choosing our property to stay. If you ever come back this way, we’d love to host you again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Loretta G.

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

Great stay at the Lighthouse Church

We had a wonderful stay. The hosts were excellent and accommodating. The property and church are beautiful. Beds were comfortable and everything was so clean. Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 7 July 2025
We’d love to host you again anytime—thanks for staying with us!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

James W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 13 October 2025
Thanks for choosing us for your stay! We’d love to host you again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Vishal K.

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

Church where you can stay overnight

We spent a great time on the property. Everything was set up perfectly at the church. Even minor details are taken care of. I liked how they transformed it into a living place. The host was very responsive and handled all of our needs. One of the greatest stays we have ever had. Thanks for everything, host.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 8 July 2025
Thank you so much for coming! Next time you come up, we’d love to host you again.
Verified

6/10 Okay

Adriana

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
It’s a nice place, however there are no curtains anywhere in the house, therefore this is no privacy and this property is located in a transited area. The house had water leaks in the basement the night prior to departure, therefore there was the humid smell inside the house.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

About the host

Hosted by Carli Jones

Host profile image

As a military family, the idea of a permanent “home base” is rarely a reality. But no matter where life has taken us, we’ve always found our way back to Bear Lake, Michigan. Every summer, we return for our annual family reunion at Crystal Lake—a tradition that has grounded us through all the moves and changes. In recent years, we’ve even started coming up in the winter to enjoy snowy adventures at Crystal Mountain and snowmobiling through the trails.

This place has become our family’s true constant—a home base in every sense of the word. It holds a special place in our hearts, and we hope you feel that same sense of belonging and connection as you create your own memories here.

Why they chose this property

One of our most cherished family traditions is our annual summer trip to Crystal Lake—a tradition that began back in 1957. So when we came across the opportunity to purchase an old, storied church near the lake, we knew it was something truly special. We saw the potential to not only preserve a piece of history but also to create a lasting home for our family’s treasured summer getaway.

After lovingly restoring the church and breathing new life into its walls, we realized it was too special not to share. Now, we’re opening our doors to other families, offering them the chance to create the same kind of unforgettable memories that have meant so much to us—memories we continue to pass down to our own children.

What makes this property unique

Staying at the Lighthouse Church offers a one-of-a-kind experience—where historic charm meets modern comfort. Originally built in 1895, the church still bears the character and craftsmanship of its past, from the faint markings of old pews etched into the floors to the original hemlock logs, harvested from the very land it stands on. This is more than just a place to stay—it’s a chance to connect with history in a way no other property in the area can offer.

Languages:

English

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