In the mid-1950s builders Joseph Fister. Charles Seeberger and Joseph Tuttle, had the brainchild idea to create the first subdivision in Lexington, Ky. specifically for what they deemed as the more deserving Negro (black) citizens.  So what was Fister farmland on Price Road, which had been used to farm strawberries, blackberries, and such in what was called “The West End” of Lexington in Fayette County.  

      Referred to by the builders as “The South’s Finest Subdivision; the ultimate in design and planning has built St. Martin’s Village into a forerunner of modern living for those who desire a fine home, an atmosphere of friendliness, and all the modern conveniences of gracious suburban living.

      It is accessed from Price Road off Georgetown Street.  Since the subdivision was to be built as a neighborhood for Lexington’s Negro (Black) citizens, the builders chose to name it after a Black Catholic Saint, Martin DePorres, of Lima Peru.  (See further description in the history section).

      Building began in 1955 with the 8 dwellings on Price Road, extending down the main entrance corridor of DePorres Ave.  Throughout the following couple of decades, the neighborhood now consists of some 269 single-family homes, with an additional 160 apartments in the St. Martin’s Villa and Circle View Apartments.  

      Saint Martin’s is located off Georgetown Street, to the left if you are headed out of town, just inside New Circle Road.  There are two ways to enter, turn off Georgetown Street onto Price Road to the first street on your right, DePorres Ave., or turn off Georgetown Street onto Lima Drive.  From Lima Drive, you would take the second left onto Don Anna Drive.  If you go to the apartments, you will take the curve to the right and follow Lima Drive to your destination.  To get to the Shelter, you can enter either way, turn onto Erie Road, follow Eire until it ends at Saint Martins Avenue, and turn right.  The Shelter is at the end of Saint Martins Ave., you can’t miss it.

      There are four churches in the neighborhood, First African Baptist Church occupies the property once known as Douglass High/Elementary School, 465 Price Road; Seventh Day Adventist, at 541 Lima Drive; Bluegrass United Church of Christ, 500 Don Anna Drive; and Greater Grace Apostolic Church, 410 Lima Drive.