For some time the Masons of the Westwood area felt that a new Lodge should be formed, since the membership of Poage Lodge had risen to such large numbers, and this would enable more Masons to participate in the work. Due to new housing developments of recent years, a considerable number of Masons were now living in the Westwood, Bellefonte, and Summit areas. When a committee was formed early in 1963 to survey the possibility of a new lodge, 84 Master Masons desired to become Charter Members. Fred M. Gross, a resident of the community, and a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, was consulted. He also saw a definite need for another Lodge in the northeastern section of Boyd County. He joined the committee to take the necessary steps to obtain a dispensation. The subordinate Lodges of the area were contacted to ascertain if there would be any objections to the formation of a new Lodge. Finding none, Brother Gross then assisted in contacting and obtaining permission from the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. As the time came to choose a name for the new Lodge, and due to the outstanding efforts by Brother Gross as a Mason throughout the state, having been instrumental in the founding of the Westwood Boys Club and the Westwood Volunteer Fire Department, as well as his efforts in other civic affairs, the members asked Brother Gross for permission to use his name. As a result of these efforts, on September 30, 1963 at 7:00 P.M., at the request of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, Poage Lodge #325 F&AM of Ashland, held a special communication at the Millseat Elementary School cafeteria, at which time the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother James W. Elam, issued a dispensation to 83 Master Masons establishing Fred M. Gross Lodge #953 F&AM in Westwood. At the request of Brother Elam, Brother Gross installed the following officers:

Worshipful Master – Jack W. Kelley

Senior Warden – Herbert H. Thompson

Junior Warden – Robert G. Price

 With permission having been obtained from the School Board, the meetings continued to be held in the Millseat School cafeteria with the stipulation that the Lodge furniture not be kept in the building. This was accomplished by moving the furniture to and from Brother Glenn Steven’s basement. In December of 1963 a committee was formed to find a location for a building. The Penix property at 2436 Main Street, Westwood, was purchased, and in early 1964 construction began. The entire building was constructed by the members, fellow Masons, and friends throughout the area. The first meeting was held in the new building on November 8, 1965, and the first degree work was performed on November 11, 1965.