21 Sep 2026
The man who saved one of St Albans’ most historic buildings from demolition is to be honoured with a blue plaque, while a new heritage plaque will be unveiled at the site to tell the remarkable story of the building itself.
Albert Moody, the city engineer and surveyor, who led the heroic post-war restoration of the Christopher Inn, will be commemorated with a blue plaque, installed by Blue Plaques St Albans (BPSA).
Simultaneously, a new heritage plaque will be erected, replacing an old one, detailing the building’s storied past from grand hostelry to near ruin and its eventual salvation.
In the years following the Second World War, the building at 3-9 French Row, which once housed the historic Christopher Inn, faced the wrecking ball. After a preservation order was secured, the council purchased the property in 1949.
It fell to Albert Moody to undertake a complex and perilous reconstruction. The building was found to be “so damaged and robbed of relics the impression was one of squalor rather than historical interest”.
At one point, the roof was so unstable it was feared it would collapse entirely into French Row. The building suffered from extensive woodworm and deathwatch beetle infestations, requiring more than 160 gallons of insecticide to treat. Despite these challenges, Moody’s reconstruction, which began in earnest in 1953, successfully saved the structure, preserving its medieval character while adapting it for modern use.
“Albert Moody’s vision and tenacity ensured that this important piece of St Albans’ mediaeval heritage was not lost,” said Professor Tim Boatswain, chair of Blue Plaques St Albans, “This blue plaque is a fitting tribute to his dedication to our city’s history.”
The new heritage plaque, sponsored by St Albans & Hertfordshire Architectural & Archaeological Society (SAHAAS), at the Christopher Inn site will recount the building’s journey through the centuries. It will tell of its origins as a mediaeval Hall House before it became the “St Christopher Inn” in the late 1500s. The building’s colourful past included being a meeting place during the 1660s Civil Wars, grand coaching inn with 14 chambers where mayors and officials feasted, only to decline into a notorious slum and brothel in the 19th century.
Bill Free from SAHAAS, said, “The new heritage plaque replaces an older, outdated plaque and offers a comprehensive insight into the building’s role as one of the most popular, prosperous and grandest hostels in St Albans”
The unveiling of both plaques will take place at 4pm on October 9 at the Christopher Inn site on French Row. The Mayor, Cllr Matt Fisher, representatives from BPSA and SAHAAS, and members of Mr Moody’s family are expected to be there. The general public are welcome to attend.
