GET TO KNOW CHURCHILL GARDENS
When Hope and Donald Lovell first envisioned Churchill Gardens, they imagined front porches, play areas for kids and community gardens. In short, they pictured a place where people could come together to connect, share and thrive. The Lovells were not interested in an ordinary development project. They wanted to grow a community from the ground up that they wished existed everywhere.
Does this sound like a place you’d like to live? Read more to learn about how the vision of Churchill Gardens is becoming a reality
- The Churchill Gardens Vision and Plan
- Development Experience and Approach
- Find Your Next Home at Churchill Gardens
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Founders' Lansing Journey
The Churchill Gardens Vision and Plan
Churchill Gardens is a Ladybug Community being developed by LoveJoy Community Services. LoveJoy Community Services is a family-centered development company based in Lansing with deep roots in the region and nearly two decades of experience in mission-driven housing and community projects. Each Ladybug Community, no matter when or where it’s built, stands on six guiding pillars:
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1. Empower the People
Homeownership, wealth building and access to nourishing food.
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2. Work Together
Collective economies where residents grow together.
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3. Respect the Land
Low-till and no-till farming practices.
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4. Clean the Air
Green infrastructure for quality of life.
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5. Conserve Water
Responsible water management systems.
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6. Leave No Waste
Regenerative, closed-loop sustainability.
This philosophy reflects the belief that people need to be closer to their food, their neighbors and the land. Churchill Gardens embodies these values, integrating housing, agriculture and community economics to create true wholeness.
Here we're creating spaces dedicated to the people who make life richer:
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Orchards honoring grandmothers who always make things sweeter
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Murals celebrating aunties whose love knows no limit
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Play areas recognizing uncles who teach us joy
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Gathering spaces for grandfathers to share wisdom
At LoveJoy Community Services, we're not just building apartment complexes. We're nurturing a community centered on faith, hope and love, with the greatest being love.”
— Hope Lovell, Founder, Ladybug CommunityDevelopment Experience and Approach
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
Listening to the Community
Real inclusion starts before the first shovel hits the ground.
LoveJoy Community Services begins every project by asking: Who will live here? What do they need? What does the neighborhood want? For Churchill Gardens, this means:
- Community feedback sessions with current residents and stakeholders
- Inclusive planning that reflects diversity and not just developer priorities
- Partnership with local organizations including food banks, health centers and economic development groups
- Transparent communication about our vision, timeline and commitments
Our founders believe that when neighbors are invested in shared goals, they create stronger communities. That's why Churchill Gardens integrates community economics principles, encouraging resident participation in their neighborhood's success.
Sustainable and Thoughtful Design
Sustainability isn't a buzzword for Churchill Gardens: it's how it’s built.
We embrace development principles that work with nature rather than against it. Our sustainable design approach includes:
- Regenerative development practices that restore and enhance the environment
- Opportunity zone investment focused on long-term community benefit
- Attainable, quality construction that leverages solar heating to reduce energy costs
- Green spaces and trails that promote health and connection
- Community gardens and orchards providing fresh, local food access
Our founders are partnering with organizations like the Greater Lansing Food Bank Garden Project to create a Ladybug Farmer’s Cooperative: a board of stakeholders focused on providing food to our local community.
Building a Lasting Community Asset
Churchill Gardens is designed to maximize community benefit rather than maximize developer profit.
Our wealth-building approach means:
- At least 50% homeownership opportunities through direct ownership or rent-to-own programs
- Mixed-income housing that creates economic diversity and stability
- Skill-building programs and asset building initiatives
- Long-term food production that serves Lansing for generations
Find Your Next Home at Churchill Gardens
What really drives the Churchill Gardens project is simple: We believe everyone deserves a home that honors their dignity, and communities work best when we celebrate the love that holds them together. Can you imagine yourself here? Take a look at available floor plans and community amenities or connect with us to learn more.
What is Churchill Gardens?
Churchill Gardens is a 77-unit, 12-acre agri-community in Southwest Lansing. It combines diverse, accessible housing with a working farm, public amenities and energy-efficient infrastructure.
Where is Churchill Gardens located?
Churchill Gardens is in Southwest Lansing on Holmes Road, between Pleasant Grove Road and South Waverly Road.
What is an agri-community?
An agri-community centers daily life around local food gardens and shared green spaces, connecting residents and empowering community members to feed themselves.
What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?
A CSA is a way for people to enjoy fresh, local food grown nearby. Families and residents can purchase a seasonal share, and each week they’ll receive a delivery of fruits and vegetables from the Churchill Gardens Farm. This system aids the farm in planning ahead; it also provides households with produce that’s fresher, healthier and often cheaper than what they'd find at the store. Everything comes straight from the community they live in.
How is Churchill Gardens a sustainable community?
Churchill Gardens is designed to take care of the earth while taking care of people. Homes will have south-facing windows that let in lots of natural light and heat, so they use less electricity. The community will also have a 3-acre farm and orchard that use no-till or low-till farming, which helps keep the soil healthy and full of important nutrients and microstructures. There will also be permaculture gardens with native plants and foods. These gardens follow natural growing practices, such as planting various crops together, to mimic natural growth and optimize nutrient production. All of this creates a place that works with nature, not against it.
Is Churchill Gardens cost-effective for first-time home owners?
Yes. Using the Community Land Trust (CLT) model, Churchill Gardens provides permanently attainable homeownership without the need for ongoing government funding.
What school district is Churchill Gardens in?
Churchill Gardens is in the Lansing School District and is connected to Everett High School.
Who is building Churchill Gardens?
The project is developed by LoveJoy Community Services, in partnership with the Ingham County Housing Trust Fund, Tabernacle of David Church, and a team of expert planners, builders and sustainability partners.
Who is the developer for Churchill Gardens?
Churchill Gardens is a Ladybug Community being developed by LoveJoy Community Services, founded by Hope and Donald Lovell. LoveJoy Community Services is a family-centered development company based in Lansing with deep roots in the region and nearly two decades of experience in mission-driven housing and community development projects.
What other projects has LoveJoy Community Services done in Lansing?
LoveJoy Community Services principals have co-developed sustainable living communities in Ingham County and has grown into one of Michigan's largest housing providers for disabled adults, serving more than 100 families across ten Michigan counties. Their work integrates housing, farming, health services and economic empowerment.
Why is the developer passionate about this project?
Churchill Gardens reflects the Lovells' belief that housing should honor families and celebrate community. As lifelong Lansing residents raising their families here, they're committed to creating neighborhoods that center love, dignity and opportunity. This isn't just business for the Lovells. It's personal. They’re building the kind of community they wish existed everywhere.
Hope Lovell
President, LoveJoy Community Services
With nearly 20 years of leadership in Michigan housing and community development, Hope holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Michigan State University. She is a licensed Michigan builder, certified organic farmer and licensed investment adviser representative. A former investment banking executive, she has underwritten more than $5 billion in commercial real estate.
Hope is the founder and president of LoveJoy Community Services, which maintains a statewide network of housing equity and economic development partners and brings cross-sector expertise spanning finance, health care, education, technology and real estate. She also serves as an elected trustee for Lansing Community College, overseeing a seven-member board with a budget exceeding $150 million. She sits on the boards of the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (Finance Committee) and ATHENA International and previously served as chair of Ingham Community Health Centers.
Donald Lovell
Founder and Tech Lead, BluStar Development
Donald is an entrepreneur, technologist and community development leader with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from Michigan State University. He is the owner and CEO of Trouble Shooters Technical Support and brings expertise in multimedia production across video, audio and digital content. Donald has co-developed sustainable living communities in Ingham County and serves on the boards of multiple regional nonprofits and civic organizations. Recognized as a bridge-builder, he connects technology, sustainability and community impact to drive meaningful change