Six months ago, history was made with the launch of the Official UK Christian & Gospel Singles Chart, giving UK Christian and Gospel music its own dedicated Official Chart for the very first time.

The launch quickly attracted attention beyond Christian and Gospel music circles, with the BBC and other major news platforms reporting on the significance of the new chart and what it meant for artists across the UK.

For the first time, there was a weekly Official Chart dedicated to the genre, based on UK streams, downloads and sales.

Six months and 27 chart weeks later, more than 70 different songs have appeared on the chart, nine different songs have reached No.1, records have been set and broken, and several artists have become familiar names in the Top 20.

As the chart reaches its six-month milestone, AStepFWD looks back at some of the firsts, records and standout moments that have shaped its story so far.

THE FIRST-EVER No.1

There could only ever be one first.

When the inaugural chart was unveiled in March, Jerub made history with ‘Kumbaya’, becoming the first artist to hold the No.1 position on the Official UK Christian & Gospel Singles Chart.

It proved to be much more than a one-week moment. ‘Kumbaya’ went on to dominate the early months of the chart, spending 10 weeks at No.1 in total, including seven consecutive weeks at the summit.

Whatever happens in the years ahead, Jerub and ‘Kumbaya’ will always have their place in the history books as the first artist and song to top the chart.

THE FIRST FEMALE CHART-TOPPER

Another historic moment followed when Chantelle Rutendo became the first female solo artist to reach No.1 with ‘There’s This King That I Know’.

Chantelle had been part of the chart story from its very beginning, appearing with two songs on the inaugural chart before eventually making her way to the top.

Other female artists have since reached No.1, but Chantelle will always hold the distinction of being the first.

NINE DIFFERENT No.1s IN SIX MONTHS

Across the first six months, nine different songs have topped the Official UK Christian & Gospel Singles Chart.

Some enjoyed extended stays at the summit, while others took their moment before another release moved in. There have also been songs that lost the top spot and later returned to No.1.

In just six months, the chart has already produced plenty of movement and some memorable battles for the summit.

26 OUT OF 27 WEEKS

Since the launch of the Official UK Christian & Gospel Singles Chart, Chantelle Rutendo and Rend Collective have been two of its most consistent names, appearing on the chart for each of its first 26 weeks.

Their unbroken runs finally came to an end in week 27, when, for the first time since the chart began, neither artist appeared in the Top 20.

That leaves both Chantelle Rutendo and Rend Collective with an impressive record of being represented in 26 out of the chart’s first 27 weeks, including an uninterrupted run across the entire first six months.

MIN.ADEOLUWA LEADS FOR INDIVIDUAL RELEASES WITHOUT COLLABORATIONS

MIN.ADEOLUWA has also been one of the most active artists across the chart’s first six months.

With seven individual releases appearing on the chart without collaborations, he currently holds the highest number in that category.

Those releases include ‘THIS GOD’, ‘Holy Ghost’, ‘O Ti Se (He Has Done It)’, ‘My Testimony’, ‘IRE (Voice of Triumph)’, ‘Altar Call’ and ‘Psalm 91’.

When collaborations are included, the number rises further, with ‘SOG (Song of Gratitude)’ alongside Ms Debola also entering the chart and reaching No.1.

ELLE LIMEBEAR MAKES IT SIX FROM SIX

One of the standout records of the first six months belongs to Elle Limebear.

Her single ‘Give Me Joy’ entered the chart directly at No.1 and has remained there ever since.

Six weeks after its arrival, the song is still at the summit, making Elle Limebear the first artist to enter the Official UK Christian & Gospel Singles Chart at No.1 and remain there for six consecutive weeks from the week of entry.

It is another significant milestone for female representation on the chart and one of its strongest No.1 runs so far.

THE 13-WEEK CLUB

Under the chart rules, a song can spend a maximum of 13 weeks on the Official UK Christian & Gospel Singles Chart.

Already, more than 10 songs have completed the full 13-week chart run.

Reaching that point shows sustained listening across the full period of eligibility, rather than simply enjoying a strong opening week.

As the chart continues, that list will only grow.

MORE THAN 70 SONGS IN SIX MONTHS

In just six months, more than 70 different songs have appeared on the Official UK Christian & Gospel Singles Chart.

The Top 20 has featured established names, emerging artists, solo releases and collaborations, with new music continuing to arrive every week.

There have also been particularly busy weeks, including one that produced eight new entries, the highest number of new entries recorded in a single week so far.

SIX MONTHS DOWN, AND THE STORY CONTINUES

Twenty-six weeks in, the Official UK Christian & Gospel Singles Chart already has plenty of history attached to it.

A first No.1. A first female chart-topper. Nine different songs reaching the summit. More than 70 songs entering the chart. More than 10 songs completing the maximum 13-week run. Two artists maintaining an unbroken presence across the entire first six months. And individual records continuing to be set along the way.

Every Friday brings another snapshot of what people across the UK are streaming, downloading and buying within Christian and Gospel music.

Six months may only be the beginning, but the chart has already given the scene plenty of moments worth remembering.