A History of Firsts
Since the first patio home residents moved in June of 1995, the history of Wesley Village has been one of firsts. The Village was first in Central Kentucky to offer independent senior living in attractive patio homes with attached garages, fully equipped kitchens, and plenty of yard space for trees, flowers and gardens.
In 1999, the Village opened Hahn Manor, one of Kentucky’s first licensed personal care facilities to offer medical services in private residential-style apartments. The following year, residents, staff and board members lobbied in Frankfort to be designated Kentucky’s first “Continuing Care Retirement Community” (CCRC), allowing skilled nursing services to be provided in the same innovative residential-style apartments.
On May 12th, 2002, the front page of the Lexington Herald-Leader Sunday edition featured a story on area nursing homes declaring Wesley Village to be “a new model of care” for the rest of the state. In June of 2006, Wesley Village opened the state’s first Senior Community Center funded through a unique public/private partnership of funds.
On September 28, 2011, Bishop G. Lindsey Davis and Governor Steven L. Beshear led a gathering of over 300 distinguished guests in a joyful celebration and dedication of “Holloway Cottage,” Kentucky’s First Small Home for Memory Care.
Every step of the way, the Board of Directors has sought to make Wesley Village Senior Living Community a model of what senior care should be all about, while striving to keep the cost of homes, apartments and services as reasonable and affordable as possible. The Village is home to many who have given a lifetime of service to others; they deserve the very best a faith-inspired community can offer!
Achievements, Awards and Accreditations
Wesley Village is a member in good standing with the following organizations:
• Leading Age (formerly the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging)
• Leading Age Kentucky (formerly Kentucky Association of Homes and Services for the Aging)
• National Alliance of Small Houses (charter member of NASH since 2008)
• Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce
2025
On June 15th Wesley Village began a week-long celebration of its 30-year “Pearl Anniversary” filled with inspiring worship, uplifting music and lots of great resident food, fun and fellowship. At the concluding service Bishop Al Gwinn challenged all who gathered (over 150) “to remain faithful for the next 30 years!” Mayor Harold Rainwater declared June 22nd to be Wesley Village Day throughout Wilmore.
On Sept. 16th an “Aging Reimagined” Dinner was held for over 100 community leaders and Village friends launching a fundraising campaign to develop our 27 new acres of land. Acclaimed tenor Gregory Turay and accompanist Claire Vance provided a musical program entitled “Going Home: Sacred Roots, Living Legacy,” created for Lexington’s 250th Birthday Celebration.
Claire Vance received Leading Age Kentucky’s prestigious “Volunteer of the Year Award” at their annual luncheon in Louisville on October 1st, for all her many hours of gifted service to our Village residents.
2024
On September 18th two major Leading Age Kentucky honors were again given to members of our Wesley Village staff: 1) Chef Tony Robinson for outstanding service in “Community Living” in large part due to his creative efforts in establishing “Friday Night Fares” for residents featuring great fun, food, fellowship and live entertainment; and 2) Kaitlin Mertz receiving the Kentucky Scholarship award for her outstanding service to residents as a CNA and desire to further her education and career with a nursing degree from Campbellsville University.
2023
In October two major Leading Age Kentucky awards were presented to members of our Wesley Village Community: 1) our consulting pharmacist Cathy Hanna for “Distinguished Service” to seniors throughout her career and throughout the state of KY; and 2) Ken Creech “Volunteer of the Year” for the many outstanding ways he serves our residents especially during COVID.
In December students from the UK School of Architecture proposed creative enhancements to our 27 acres of new land including pickleball courts, butterfly waystations and bioswales (the natural way to heal sinkholes). Glenda Creech expressed our gratitude, saying “our new development will become more than we ever hoped or imagined it could be!”
2022
The Cal Turner Jr. Family Foundation generously contributed $250,000 toward the purchase of 27 acres of land adjoining the Village to the north. This is the third major donation to Wesley Village from the Turner family (founders of Dollar General Stores).
On September 27th, Bishop Leonard Fairley came to help dedicate the 27 acres of new land declaring our campus to be “Holy Ground’ conceived by “Holy Imagination,” encouraging us to “…keep going and don’t stop as God has even more amazing things for [us in ministry] yet to do!” Acclaimed opera singer Michael Preacely concluded the service with a powerful rendition of the gospel favorite “We are Standing on Holy Ground.” The occasion marked the completion of a capital campaign to raise a total of $550,000 to pay for the land in full. To God be the Glory!
Also in late September three major Leading Age Kentucky awards were presented to members of our Wesley Village community: 1) Marketing Director Barb Mullins received one for “Outstanding Service to Community Life;” 2) Resident Cora Hughes for “Volunteer of the Year;” and 3) CEO Glenda Creech for most prestigious “Outstanding Leadership.” All three received these awards for their exceptional contributions to both quality of life and resident safety during the darkest days of the COVID pandemic.
2020
In the fall of 2020 resident Leonard Urback received the "Volunteer of the Year Award" from LeadingAge Kentucky for his outstanding work in beautifying our campus through his many garden and landscape projects. No one has a "greener thumb" than Leonard!
2019
In addition to the warm Christian community atmosphere that so many experience on our campus, residents and visitors often comment what they appreciate most is our emphasis on performing arts. From our own resident Village Singers, Men of Song, Village Players (for drama & skits) - plus a Recorder and Kazoo Band (invited to perform at the annual Lexington Bach Music Festival) - to the likes of top-quality student and faculty singers and musicians from the University of Kentucky and Asbury University, our residents and area seniors have a constant array of concerts and events from which to choose. With this in mind, our own 95 year old resident Dean Alspach and Associate Concertmaster of the Lexington Philharmonic Brice Farrar were presented with the LeadingAge Kentucky Volunteer of the Year Awards for the marvelous “Big Band Era” duet programs they provide on piano and violin in our Wilmore Senior Community Center on a weekly basis. Over 800 member participants gave Dean and Brice a thunderous standing ovation after hearing them perform for the Annual Fall LeadingAge Kentucky Awards Luncheon in Louisville!
2018
On July 17th, residents, friends and family members gathered outside around a new flag circle and reflection area “dedicated in honor of all Wesley Village residents who served in our armed forces to preserve American freedoms.” This Veterans’ Memorial is just one more measure of the tremendous respect and admiration we have for the Greatest Generation we have served and for our servicemen and servicewomen who’ve followed since.
2017
Three Leading Age Kentucky awards were announced: 1) The “Distinguished Service Award” presented to Wesley Village Medical Director, Dr. Ralph Alvarado, for his tireless efforts as a State Senator to pass legislation benefitting KY seniors and long-term care providers; 2) The “Spiritual Care Award” presented to Wesley Village Chaplain, Gary Story, M.Div., for the exceptional way he relates to all our residents and supports them no matter what challenges they face; and 3) The “Community Living Award” to Wesley Village V.P. for Community Relations, Alan Beuscher, for his 24 years of service helping Glenda, our Board and others to build the Wesley Village into the model community it is today.
2016
Two Leading Age Kentucky awards were received: 1) The “Innovation Award,” presented to President/CEO Glenda Creech for her persistence in pioneering the nation’s first swimming pool surrounded by an ultra-safe deck made from the revolutionary new product called SorbaShock; and 2) The “Caring Heart Award,” presented to Maintenance Director, Scott Staley, for outstanding service to residents well beyond the call of duty in his official job description.
2015
On January 22nd, president/CEO Glenda Creech was named Outstanding Business Leader of the Year at the annual Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet.
2014
On October 8th, Christopher Ponce received Leading Age Kentucky’s “Outstanding Support Services Award” for his many extraordinary creative media arts projects along with his daily duties in food service.
2013
On September 18th, Care Companion Mary Devin was awarded Leading Age Kentucky’s highest Certified Nursing Assistant honor, “The Caring Heart Award,” for her extraordinary dedication to residents and hard work in opening Holloway Cottage.
2012
President/CEO Glenda Creech was named Board Chair of Leading Age Kentucky, our commonwealth’s official association for all nonprofit long term health service providers.
2010
President/CEO Glenda Creech was awarded the prestigious “Bell Leadership Award” by the Kentucky Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
2009
Wesley Village was named “Business of the Year” by The Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce.
2007
VP for Community Relations Alan Beuscher served on the Governor’s Residential Care Task Group of the Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Advisory Council.