Nestled On Florida's Gulf Coast Is This Former Church That's Now A Vintage Boutique Hotel

An abandoned church in the Florida Panhandle got a new lease on life in 2023 when it reopened as a boutique hotel. Prior to its resurrection, Lily Hall was known locally as the Mt. Olive Baptist Church from 1928 to 1982 and was home to the Holy Cross Metropolitan Community Church until 2004 when Hurricane Ivan tore through the Central Gulf Coast leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Damaged beyond repair, the structure in Pensacola, Florida (one of the most underrated Florida destinations) sat vacant for almost two decades. By the time the former church caught the eye of Nashville-based Stahlman Hospitality Group, it had become a graffiti-covered eyesore with boarded-up windows sitting on a litter-strewn corner lot. Despite its location in Pensacola's historic Old East Hill neighborhood, which is protected by a 1984 zoning ordinance that created the Old East Hill Preservation District, the structure was in danger of being demolished. That's when Nathan Weinberg and his colleagues at Stahlman Hospitality Group decided to check it out.

"We ended up in front of this church, and it was pretty hard to deny what a cool building it was," Weinberg told Emerald Coast in 2023. "We are fans and practitioners of adaptive reuse, and so the idea of being able to preserve something is always appealing to us." The building's fortuitous location in a residential neighborhood on the upswing probably didn't hurt either. Old East Hill, about a mile from Pensacola Bay and Hawkshaw Lagoon Memorial Park, is filled with an eclectic array of traditional homes interspersed with examples of Craftsman-, Mission-, and Queen Anne-style architecture built between 1870 and 1920. Pack your walking shoes because it's also within strolling distance of Pensacola's bustling business district — a plus for developers hoping to attract visitors interested in exploring local galleries and restaurants.

It's easy to imagine a church-turned-boutique hotel might be more cavernous than cozy, but that's not the case at Lily Hall. Nashville-based Smith Gee Studio worked hand-in-hand with Pensacola's Dalrymple | Sallis Architecture to create a design that honored the structure's legacy while transforming the space into a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel with 15 guest rooms, a restaurant, and a Prohibition-style speakeasy. The collaborative effort maintained the former church's heritage, restoring its exterior and prominently showcasing its original architectural emblem in the building's façade, while incorporating 21st-century design elements and technology. A centerpiece of the interior design, Lily's Parlor is a first-floor communal space reminiscent of an old-world library, but bathed in natural light streaming through the giant windows installed in the former church's original window frames. A selection of gently worn books, sourced locally, line the Parlor's custom bookshelves. Comfortable seating is arranged to foster conversation while incorporating quiet nooks for guests seeking solitude.

Guest rooms range from pied-à-terre-style accommodations (similar to an apartment) with direct access to the outside grounds to more traditional king and queen rooms. The design theme reflects local Florida Panhandle tradition, incorporating bright pops of color and a tropical influence. In a quirky twist, rooms are furnished with a record player and a curated collection of vinyl records. Lily Hall features two on-site food and beverage venues. The main dining room, Brother Fox, showcases wood-fired specialties with a Spanish influence. Charbroiled oysters, grilled octopus, and pan con tomate (Catalan-style roasted bread with fresh tomato). Entrees include Brother Fox burger, Low Country shrimp boil, and prime skirt steak asada. When the weather cooperates, dining al fresco on the adjacent patio is an option.

"At its heart, it is representative of what I would cook in my backyard for friends," Terry Raley, the award-winning restauranteur told Emerald Coast in 2023 while describing the Brother Fox concept. The inspiration for Sister Hen, Lily Hall's basement-level speakeasy, is a bit more obscure. Turns out Pensacola was a bastion of resistance to 18th Amendment, the 1919 act that banned the sale of alcoholic beverages. Locals reacted to the news of Prohibition with a sense of defiance. Over time, the city earned a reputation as a smuggling capital where illicit speakeasies flourished. It's ironic, in a fun way, that the Lily Hall pays homage to Pensacola's rum-running days in the basement of a former church, but like some of the best secret speakeasies in New York City, it works. Hotel guests and patrons dining at Brother Fox enter through a reserved doorway connecting Sister Hen to the rest of the establishment. Guests arriving specifically for Sister Hen can pick up a phone outside the entrance to announce their arrival and request access. It's a not-so-subtle take on the days when speakeasies required a secret knock or password to gain entry.

Why the name Lily Hall? Who's Brother Fox? What about Sister Hen? We can answer two out of the three questions. Lily Hall is a nod to the former church's resurrection as a boutique hotel. In some cultures, lilies represent things like rebirth and renewal. The church was a community gathering place — or hall — giving us Lily Hall. Brother Fox is named for the first pastor at Mount Olive Baptist Church. The origins of Sister Hen remain a mystery. Maybe there's a connection to a fox in a hen house? Seems like a stretch, but it's possible. Intrigued by the concept of hotels in unexpected places? Check out these stunning hotels that used to be train stations.