Michigan Resident Renovates Historic Church Into Bed and Breakfast

Whitney Anderson is transforming a 128-year-old Michigan church into a residence and inn.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Home Renovation

Bold vector editorial illustration of a historic church facade with gothic windows, representing an architectural preservation and renovation project. — Whitney Anderson is converting a 128-year-old church in Michigan into a private residence and bed and breakfast, preserving its historic architecture. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support converting historic buildings, like old churches, into private homes to preserve them?

In June 2024, Whitney Anderson began an extensive renovation on a 128-year-old church and parsonage in Michigan. The project, which involves converting the historic structure into a private residence and a bed and breakfast, is currently underway.

Why it matters

The project serves as a preservation effort for a historic building featuring stained-glass windows. Anderson aims to repurpose the site into a sustainable hospitality business.

Anderson purchased the property for $45,000 using personal savings. Structural repairs required 44-foot I-joists to correct an 18-inch floor slope.

The players

Whitney Anderson

She is a homeowner in Michigan who is currently renovating a century-old church into a bed and breakfast.

Home Reimagined

This is a television program that features unique renovation and design projects.

The details

Renovation work includes self-led demolition, drywall installation, and painting, alongside professional upgrades like new roofs, gutters, and a pellet stove. Anderson appeared on the television program Home Reimagined in March 2025 to discuss the ongoing labor.

Renovation work began on the church property in June 2024.
Anderson appeared on the show Home Reimagined in March 2025.
The bed and breakfast is scheduled to open between fall 2028 and spring 2029.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a broader societal interest in the Adaptive Reuse movement, where property owners revitalize historic sites to preserve cultural heritage. By repurposing vacant religious structures, these renovations contrast with modern new-construction trends.

Residents may see an increase in activity at the historic site as it transitions toward a hospitality business by 2029. This project highlights the potential for individual investors to rehabilitate abandoned local infrastructure through self-led labor.

The takeaway

Historic property owners can manage substantial renovations by leveraging personal savings and performing self-led labor to reduce costs. Transforming legacy buildings requires careful structural planning, particularly when addressing aging foundations.