Hertsmere Progressive Synagogue

Hertsmere Progressive Synagogue, originally built as a school between 1882 and 1883 for H.H. Gibbs, Lord Aldenham, is a former school now serving as a synagogue. The building features red brick construction with areas of roughcast, sham timber framing, and tile hanging, topped by a tiled roof. It is designed in an asymmetrical Arts and Crafts style and consists of two storeys with a layout of 1:2:1, including projecting gabled end wings.

The entrance is arched and located to the left of the center, with a chamfered surround. To the right of the entrance, there is a three-light timber mullion and transom leaded window. The first floor is roughcast and features sham timber studding, along with two oriel windows that have gabled heads and three leaded lights each, supported by moulded timber lintels. A timber bellcote with an ogee finialed cupola and round-headed openings is situated on the ridge to the left of center, accompanied by a small ridge stack to the right.

On the right cross wing, the ground floor has a three-light leaded window, while the upper floor displays ornamental tile hanging and a slightly projecting four-light leaded window, complete with moulded timber jambs and sill, and a brattished cornice beneath the timber studded and roughcast bargeboarded gable. The right return features a large extruded stack with four attached octagonal shafts and oversailing courses.

The left cross wing is larger and taller, showcasing a first-floor five-light timber mullion and transom leaded casement with a bracketed sill. The gable is timber studded and roughcast with bargeboarding. The left return has four bays and large three-light ovolo moulded mullion and transom windows. At the rear left, there is a large block that extends parallel to the main range, which has similar but simpler features. The rear of the main block has a tile-hung first floor. The interior has not been inspected.