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Entire home·Private host

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

Holiday home in Halifax with kitchen and patio

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

Terrace/patio - Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea (Purcells Cove)
Interior - Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea (Purcells Cove)
Interior - Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea (Purcells Cove)
Interior - Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea (Purcells Cove)
Exterior - Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea (Purcells Cove)
Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea provides amenities, such as a garden and laundry facilities. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathrooms139 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Ocean view
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi

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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!

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

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

  • Smoke-free property

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

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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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

No parties allowed.

Pets

Pets not 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

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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 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
Property Registration Number STR2425A7722

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

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

About the area

Located in Halifax, this holiday home is by the ocean. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Duncans Cove Nature Reserve and McCormacks Beach Provincial Park, while Museum of Natural History and Rebecca Cohn Auditorium are cultural highlights. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Scotiabank Centre or Dartmouth Sportsplex. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching. Visit our Halifax travel guide
View more Holiday homes in Halifax
Map
Purcells Cove, NS

What's nearby

  • Halifax_ChocolateLakeBeach_6309587_1
    Chocolate Lake Beach
    6 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Halifax_DalhousieUniversity_6072679_05
    Dalhousie University
    7 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Sir Sandford Fleming Park
    3 min drive - 3.2 km
  • York Redoubt National Historic Site
    3 min drive - 3.6 km
  • Long Lake Provincial Park
    5 min drive - 5.4 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • Tim Hortons
    13 min drive
  • Starbucks
    12 min drive
  • Uncommon Grounds
    12 min drive
  • Starbucks
    12 min drive
  • Manhattan Pizza
    12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea?

On-site parking is available at the property.

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

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

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

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Amazing Unique Church for rent - St. Cecilia by the Sea located?

Situated by the ocean, this holiday home is 1.7 mi (2.8 km) from Sir Sandford Fleming Park and within 6 miles (10 km) of Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk and Chocolate Lake Beach. Halifax Shopping Centre and University of King's College are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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

Reviews

Exceptional

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 150 out of 151 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 151 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 151 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 151 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 151 reviews

10

Cleanliness

10

Location

10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tracy A.

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

Martha C.

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

10/10 Excellent

Terri C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place. Loved it so much. Beautiful. Nice sitting area overlooking a small marina.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carol D.

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

Kathy P.

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

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Not your average rental! St. Cecilia exceeded expectations in all areas. Incredible property with amazing story. Typically meeting the owners has not been a priority but definitely reach out to Brett and Lara for the history of the church, its renovation and the story behind many of the pieces adorning the property. Beds were super comfortable and St. Cecilia was well equipped. Location was perfect for our event at the Yacht Club, Peggys cove 40 minute drive and downtown Halifax 20 minutes. Sat on the deck at night for a nightcap and watched the deer while listening to the local seals. Definitely rebook when in the Halifax area again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Allison P.

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

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

Scott M.

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

Debbie T.

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

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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Melanie H.

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Bruce H.

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

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

Barbara N.

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

Intriguing decor and lovely location

The church has been beautifully decorated. Very comfortable accommodation and wonderful location. Brett and Lara were excellent hosts.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

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

Just like home - only better

Loved our stay and had more than we needed. Such a comfortable, lively place! We will let it go haha but kept referring to it as “our church” 😊 Thank you to our hosts for a lovely visit.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Charles L.

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

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

Charles L.

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

Amazing place

Stunningly restored chapel which surprises you at every turn. This was truly a beautiful place, indoors and outdoors Brett and Lara are fantastic and friendly hosts, full of local knowledge. Allegedly Brett is going to write a book about it 😀 We cannot recommend The Church highly enough
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nora D.

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

Unusual in a great way

This is an imaginatively restored church with all kinds of artistic detail throughout. It is also very comfortable inside with a nice space outside for relaxing if the weather is good. It also has one of the best equipped kitchens we have seen in a vacation rental. Engaging owners as well. All in all, a very worthy place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shanda J.

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

So unique!

We wanted to stay somewhere different than your regular hotel and this was beyond our expectation. The host was quick to respond and gave us some wonderful recommendations on places to eat. The kitchen was well stocked with anything that one would need. The outside space was wonderful to sit and have a morning coffee. Would definitely stay here again the next time I’m back in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paul P.

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

Amazing space

We really enjoyed our stay at St Cecilia. Brett and Lara are wonderful hosts and you can see the amount of care and thought put into the design of the space. This was also evident in the landscaping around the space as well. Hosts are warm and engaging and appear to love sharing this special place with travelers
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve C.

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

Slept in church and didn't get in trouble!

Beautiful facilities and outside garden are overlooking the harbor. Brett and Lara are so welcoming! Excellent care in fact couldn't get the Dallas game and Lara came immediately over to fix the tv. Recommend you book immediately to assure your stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shawn M.

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

A magical stay

My parents and I were blown away by this incredible home! Brett & Lara were fantastic hosts and we are in awe of how they have transformed this former church into the stunning space it is today. The location is fantastic, in a quiet area but just outside of the city. We can't recommend it enough!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mariann T.

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

Truly Memorable Accommodations!

We loved staying at Brett and Lara’s place. The decor, craftsmanship and attention to detail of this property cannot be beat! Our hosts anticipated our every need. Coming back to a clean and comfortable place was so welcome. We enjoyed talking with Brett and finding out about the history of the church, the paintings and the artifacts. We’d happily stay there again when we return to Halifax.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

roger m.

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

Not to be missed!

What an experience! This renovated church is an amazing place to spend time. It is very conveniently located for visiting Halifax, Despite the fact that it is in a secluded, beautiful and beautiful surrounding location. The host and his wife are extremely helpful and have included many wonderful extras to make your stay amazing!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lloyd L.

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

Heaven

This was by far the most unique place we’ve stayed. It was awesome! It had everything you needed. It was so clean with a huge kitchen. It’s perfectly located. The host are so friendly. We would definitely recommend it. Loved it!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Greg P.

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

Excellent

Our visit could not have been better. The church is great, it was super clean and it had everything we needed. Brett and Lara gave us our privacy but let us know they were available if needed. The area is beautiful and everything we needed was close by.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2023