Entire home

Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea

Vacation home near Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk in Halifax

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea

Exterior
Interior
Exterior detail
Interior
Exterior

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathrooms1500 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
Purcells Cove, NS
  • Place, Dalhousie University
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, St. Mary's University
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Airport, Halifax, NS (YHZ-Stanfield Intl.)
    ‪38 min drive‬

Room options

You may also like

About the neighborhood

Halifax

Seaside stay .Stay at this Halifax vacation home and you'll be within 2 miles (3 km) of Sir Sandford Fleming Park and 6 miles (10 km) of Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk. Long Lake Provincial Park and Mont Blanc Anchor Site are also within 6 miles (10 km).

What's nearby

  • Dalhousie University - 8 min drive - 2.2 miles
  • Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk - 11 min drive - 6.0 miles
  • Halifax Citadel - 11 min drive - 6.0 miles
  • Scotiabank Centre - 12 min drive - 6.2 miles
  • St. Mary's University - 13 min drive - 6.0 miles

Getting around

  • Halifax Station - 18 min drive
  • Stanfield Intl. Airport (YHZ) - 36 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Uncommon Grounds - ‬12 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea

Here's a chance to rent an amazing fully furnished house that was once a Catholic church. Lovingly restored complete with spectacular stained glass, murals and breathtaking oak woodwork as well as lots of little treasures we're sure you'll enjoy.

St. Cecilia has two cozy bedrooms each with a queen-sized bed and superior linens. The master, once the choir loft, has a lovely two piece ensuite and is accessed through a staircase off the front hall. The second bedroom is an open loft style that is accessed by an enchanting spiral staircase in the great room.

You'll find everything you need in the well stocked kitchen: dishes, wine glasses, pots and pans, lobster pot, and coffee maker. The main bathroom with a combined shower/tub and stackable washer & dryer is on the ground floor and there is a 1/2 bath ensuite off the master. We provide towels and basic bathroom necessities and we clean to the highest standards.

There is high speed internet and the great room has a large wide screen TV with many popular streaming services (CBC Gem, Crave, Netflix, Disney+, AppleTV, Prime).

Located in beautiful Purcells Cove, only 15 minutes from downtown Halifax, 30 minutes from the Halifax International Airport and less than five minutes from the grocery store, pharmacy, liquor store and other essential amenities. We will share a list of our favorite restaurants and things to do before you arrive.

There is a public tennis court across the street, and access to several beautiful walking trails including the Shaw Wilderness Park. Minutes away from York Redoubt, a National Historic Site with breathtaking panoramic views of Halifax Harbour and lovely, easy walking trails. Crystal Crescent Beach, one of Nova Scotia's most popular beaches is a 20 minute drive. If you are without a car, there is a Halifax transit bus stop right at the foot of St. Cecilia Lane with easy connecting routes to all of Halifax's destinations.

If you want to stick close to home, you couldn't do better than relaxing on the deck overlooking Purcells Cove with your morning coffee or evening wine and watching the boats come and go. The deck's southern exposure allows you to enjoy both the sunrise and sunset over this beautiful little cove.

St. Cecilia by the Sea ...... The right amount of bliss!

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchen island
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a village
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the ocean

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Composting
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Garden
  • Property does not allow children
  • Unit size: 1,500 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Rules

No parties allowed.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • This property does not allow children.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.

Property Registration Number STR2425A7722

Property is also known as

Amazing Unique Church Rent "st. Cecilia Sea" House Halifax
Amazing Unique Church Rent "st. Cecilia Sea" House
Amazing Unique Church Rent "st. Cecilia Sea" Halifax
Amazing Unique Church Rent "st. Cecilia Sea"
Amazing Unique Church for Rent "st. Cecilia by the Sea" Halifax
Amazing Unique Church Rent "st. Cecilia Sea" House
Amazing Unique Church Rent "st. Cecilia Sea"
Amazing Unique Church for Rent "st. Cecilia by the Sea" Halifax
Amazing Unique Church Rent "st. Cecilia Sea" House Halifax
Amazing Unique Church Rent "st. Cecilia Sea" Halifax
Amazing Unique Church for Rent "st. Cecilia by the Sea" Halifax
Amazing Unique Church Rent "st. Cecilia Sea" House Halifax
Amazing Unique Church Rent "st. Cecilia Sea" House
Amazing Unique Church Rent "st. Cecilia Sea" Halifax

Frequently asked questions

How close is Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea to the airport?

This vacation home is 27.7 mi (36-min drive) away from the Stanfield Intl. Airport (YHZ) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

How close is Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea to the beach?

This vacation home is 2.3 mi (7-min drive) from Sir Sandford Fleming Park and 3.6 mi (8-min drive) from Chocolate Lake Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home, but Casino Nova Scotia (11-min drive) is nearby.

What time is check-in at Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea to downtown Halifax?

This vacation home is 2.5 mi away from Halifax.

Reviews

Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 147 out of 148 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 148 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 148 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 148 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 148 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tracy A., Lithia

Liked: Cleanliness
Best VRBO ever! This was the most unique place we’ve ever stayed and it was also incredibly clean and comfortable! Lara was so sweet and very accommodating! We LOVED our stay here ands wish we’d planned to spend more time. We drove the south shore and out to Digby as well! Highly recommend!!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathy P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wow! You can’t miss this one! I have been to 17 states staying at VRBOs and this is my favorite by far! The church was just gorgeous and Brett came over and explained the history and reconstruction of the church and that was fascinating! The kitchen was stocked with everything we needed. The beds were so comfortable and our stay was just lovely. Best location to explore Nova Scotia! We even had our own harbor and cool seating to view it. These were also the best hosts I have ever had. Don’t miss the unique experience of staying at this church with the beautiful furnishings and stained glass!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer K., Valdosta, Ga

Liked: Cleanliness
The view down the short hill of the property is amazing. The house was really clean except for a few crumbs in the refrigerator and drawers. It’s in a nice area. We saw people walking every day. One of the best parts was the amazing communication from the owners. They never made us feel silly for asking questions. (Like when we couldn’t turn the volume up on the tv) The history of the church and the area is pretty neat.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carol D.

Liked: Cleanliness
The property is beyond superlatives! Even the photos don’t do it justice. Brett & Lara have taken extreme measures to make sure every eventuality/need is met and surpassed! Their recommendations for cafes, restaurants, and activities were spot-on! The care they have taken in making their guests comfortable is amazing! We want to come back and stay longer!
Several beautiful stained glass windows
Ceiling painted a la the Sistine Chapel
Spacious double-sink bathroom
An outdoor deck, perfect for morning coffee, overlooking the water including a lobster shack & boat
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Scott M., Farmington Hills, Michigan

Liked: Cleanliness
The property was just as listed. It is a very unique, spacious, and comfortable lodging about 25 minutes outside of downtown Halifax in a quiet neighborhood. The kitchen is well-equipped and the decor is an attraction in itself. This was a good base from which to explore the Halifax area.The bed in the master bedroom was very comfortable but both bedrooms require the ability to climb stairs, including a steel spiral staircase to the second bedroom. A large screen TV with Apple TV, Wi-Fi, and device charging stations were available for use. The host personally renovated the property and is nearby if needed. Many tourist brochures, dining and entertainment guides were provided and very helpful for first-time visitors to Nova Scotia.For anyone seeking a different lodging experience from the standard, cookie-cutter hotel room or Victorian inn, this property delivers.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Terri C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place. Loved it so much. Beautiful. Nice sitting area overlooking a small marina.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Martha C.

Liked: Cleanliness
St. Cecilia property was amazing! It was spacious, clean, comfortable and beautifully appointed!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eric L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Just don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to bask in all the glorious touches charm and embrace this place and the folks who built and run it- seriously stay here if you can!!!
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Catherine F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lara and Brett have created a very special sanctuary. The little church has everything you need and loads of stories. We’ll be talking about our stay for years to come.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

rosemarie C.

Liked: Cleanliness
St Cecelia was an absolute pleasure to stay at. The house was completely stocked with all essentials a person would need to live comfortably for a week. Lara and Brett were wonderful. They helped with any information and were very accommodating to your needs. I would definitely recommend this interesting home/church for anyone to stay at.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Allyson B.

Liked: Cleanliness
The location is gorgeous and the atmosphere unique! Kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms are super comfortable, well equipped and made us feel right at home.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Terry L., Arlington, TX

Liked: Cleanliness
Quite unique, wonderful hosts whose communication was perfect. Well stocked place, clean and comfy with a great view.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Claire M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful property

What a treasure we loved our stay in St Cecilia. Brett and Lara were great hosts and the property was clean comfortable and well equipped
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jean W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Stay in a Church

Unique place (chapel) with beautiful views and great location. Hosts were very accommodating and gracious.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joanna N.

Liked: Cleanliness

A MAGICAL PLACE

Brett and Lara, Thank you for creating this wonderful sanctuary and sharing it with strangers and making us feel like friends.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Allison P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Ethereal

This was definitely the highlight of our trip out East. The church house is amazing- rich, yet so comfortable. Brett and Lara were excellent hosts. We loved hearing about the history of the church house and some of the highlights of Brett’s interests. Truly a unique stay. I would highly recommend this
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Charles L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fun and funky hideaway, minutes from downtown Halifax. Perfect.

We have just completed a lovely, lovely stay at St. Cecilia’s by the Sea — my wife and I, with my brother and his wife. (We flipped coins for the choir loft.) Brett and Lara have done an absolutely stellar job of reimagining this old Catholic worship place, fitting it out with antiques from around the world, handmade wooden trim, heated flooring, luxurious seating, a bank of (unwinded) organ pipes, a wonderful likeness of St. Jerome, and a helpful array of modern appliances, so useful now-a-days — and without feeling oppressively “churchy.” The vibe is more funky than monkish. The setting’s location is great, too, within minutes of proper Halagonian dining, groceries, and the boardwalk downtown. Thank you, Lara and Brett, for creating this space and sharing it with the world. I have an idea that we will back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Scott F.

Liked: Cleanliness
FANTISTIC!!! This is a beautiful property the interior is like staying in a castle in the UK with the rich wood paneling on the walls, the oriental rugs on the floors, all the statues, and paintings on display and antique furniture throughout the "church." Outside there were two areas where you could sit and relax one porch on the back of the house with a gas grill and a glass top table to enjoy a meal outside and the second is a lovely deck with Adirondack chairs and a fabulous view of the cove complete with fishing boats and docks. When my wife and I return to Halifax to finish exploring the area we will absolutely try to stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Debbie T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Charming and Eclectic Home

We loved the church and the location as it was close to everything. We would definitely stay again and highly recommend it. The owners were friendly and quickly answered any questions we had. The weather hindered our ability to enjoy the outside space but the property was well manicured and inviting. We appreciated the multi charging stations for all our electronics.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Best ever!!!

St Cecilia was magical!! The location was wonderful. We so enjoyed meeting Brett and Lara. It would be our first choice in the future!!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jim R.

Liked: Cleanliness

East coast beauty

The church was amazing. Such a unique experience. Everything you need is supplied, I would recommend to anyone. Brett is a very knowledgeable and cool guy. We will definitely stay there again
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda W.

Liked: Cleanliness

St Cecilia

We loved staying here!! It was clean. It was so unique. We slept in the choir loft and Karen slept in the organ loft. Brett and Lara are great hosts!! In fact, we will be back there in 2 days.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Margaret S.

Liked: Cleanliness

The most special home away from home, possible.

We enjoyed everything about this magical place. The owners are very particular about St. Cecelia which makes us be on our best behavior. We loved it and didn't want to leave forever! Thank you Lara & Brett. Margy & Jim
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bruce H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Exceptional Property

Great location, unique and comfortable. First time in Halifax and hosts were very helpful. We will book this house again next time we're in Halifax!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melanie H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Place

We had such an amazing stay. This place has some great history. Brett and Lara are awesome hosts. You definitely won’t go wrong by choosing to stay here.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024