Schaffer, Michigan
A parish rectory, lovingly restored, opening its doors as a place for travelers to stay.
See the restorationAs it was
Built to house the parish's priests, the rectory kept a quiet, steady rhythm for generations — meals in the same kitchen, footsteps on the same stairs, the church bell next door marking the hours.
As it will be
The same walls, the same light through the same windows — now open to guests who've never set foot in a rectory before. We're keeping what gives this house its character, and making it comfortable for a stay.
A working record of the project — updated as each phase moves forward.
Phase 01
The rectory passed to us this year, along with the church next door. Before any renovation began, we walked every room and gave thanks for what it's held.
Phase 02
Structural review, permitting, and mapping out which rooms become guest suites, which stay shared, and what — like the original woodwork and stained glass — doesn't get touched.
Phase 03
New wiring, plumbing, and insulation, done carefully so the bones of the house stay exactly where they've always been.
Phase 04
Guest bedrooms, bathrooms, and common spaces take shape, furnished to feel more like a well-kept home than a hotel.
Phase 05
Doors open. First guests arrive.
Photos will fill in as each space comes together. Here's what we're tracking.
Video walkthroughs and quick clips from the restoration, as we post them.
This site will grow the way the rectory does — one room, one photo, one milestone at a time.
sacredheartrectory.com