10/10 Excellent
Thomas D.
20 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thomas D.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Entire home
Stay in a Beautifully Restored 1895 Church, A Unique Bear Lake Getaway
Photo gallery for Stay in a Beautifully Restored 1895 Church, A Unique Bear Lake Getaway
Reviews
9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10
Popular amenities
Explore the area
Bear Lake, MI
- Chestnut Hills Golf Course5 min drive
- Crystal Mountain14 min drive
- Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course21 min drive
- Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker)27 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
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
Property manager
Carli Jones
Premier Host
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
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- Kitchen
- Washer
- Dryer
- Air conditioning
House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
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.
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
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
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
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 Crystal Mountain and Chestnut Hills Golf Course. Enjoy the area's slopes with snowboarding and skiing, and don't miss out on the sledging and snowmobiling.
Bear Lake, MI
What's nearby
- Glovers Lake - 5 min drive - 4.7 km
- Chestnut Hills Golf Course - 5 min drive - 4.7 km
- Crystal Mountain - 14 min drive - 15.6 km
- Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course - 21 min drive - 18.8 km
- Pierport Beach - 25 min drive - 18.0 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- MT Plate Diner - 14 min drive
- Iron Fish Distillery - 14 min drive
- Lake Side Cafe - 6 min drive
- Grille 44 - 4 min drive
- Bowen’s Creek - 14 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.2
Wonderful
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.6/10
Cleanliness
8.0/10
Amenities
4.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
8.0/10
Eco-friendliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
9.6/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Makenna G.
4 August 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Makenna G.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Loretta G.
3 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay at the Lighthouse Church
Loretta G.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Vishal K.
7 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Church where you can stay overnight
Vishal K.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
About the host
Hosted by Carli Jones
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.
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.
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
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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