EXHIBIT 5.1



                                 [HD LETTERHEAD]



                                October 11, 2002



Citizens First Bancorp, Inc.
525 Water Street
Port Huron, Michigan  48060

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have represented Citizens First Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and filing with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") of a Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement"), for registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of a maximum of
25,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Common Shares"), to be issued pursuant to the Citizens First Bancorp, Inc.
Management Restricted Stock Purchase Plan (as amended and restated effective
June 1, 2002) (the "Plan").

         Based upon our examination of such documents and other matters as we
deem relevant, it is our opinion that the Common Shares to be offered by the
Company under the Plan pursuant to the Registration Statement (1) have been duly
authorized, and (2) when issued by the Company in accordance with the Plan, will
be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit hereby that we
come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of
the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    /s/ [HILL DEVENDORF, P.C.]

                                    [HILL DEVENDORF, P.C.]


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