Twelve years after the launch of the Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart, a new weekly singles chart is set to shine a national spotlight on the creativity, growth and impact of the UK Christian & Gospel music community. The groundbreaking news was announced officially by Founder, O’Neil Dennis, at this year’s StepFWD Awards on 22nd of November.
When the UK’s first Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart launched in March 2013, it marked a significant moment of recognition. For the first time, the Christian and Gospel community gained an official presence within the UK music industry. The chart, produced by the Official Charts Company, saw Hillsong United’s Zion claim the inaugural No. 1 spot, providing UK artists with a measurable platform for their music and stories. From that point forward, Christian and Gospel music were counted, tracked and celebrated alongside the nation’s other musical genres.
Twelve years on, that progression continues with a major new development. AStepFWD, the organisation behind the UK Christian Charts, has partnered with the Official Charts Company to introduce the Official Christian & Gospel Singles Chart, due to go live in early 2026. This weekly chart will highlight the most-streamed and best-selling Christian and Gospel tracks across the UK. While the albums chart made history in its day, the upcoming singles chart reflects how audiences now listen – fast-moving, streaming-driven and community-centred.
The timing couldn’t be better. Over the past decade, the UK Christian and Gospel scene has matured beautifully. The sound has expanded far beyond church or festival stages, with every genre now representing the good news. From London to Leeds, Birmingham to Bristol, artists are creating music with a level of excellence that deserves wider recognition. This new chart provides exactly that: a place where creativity and impact can be seen in real time.
AStepFWD’s journey toward this partnership has been steady and intentional. Since 2014, its monthly UK Christian Charts have celebrated hundreds of artists across twelve categories, combining public votes with insight from more than 150 expert judges. That consistency and openness have helped define what excellence looks like in this space — one reason AStepFWD now stands as a trusted partner to the Official Charts Company.
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Read the full article over at Keep The Faith Magazine – December Issue
