Top Christian Albums

Number one album in Christian music in the United States

Top Christian Albums is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that ranks the best-performing Christian albums in the United States. Like the Billboard 200, the data is compiled by Nielsen Soundscan based on each album's weekly physical and digital sales, as well as on-demand streaming and digital sales of its individual tracks.[1] The chart was introduced on the magazine issue dated March 29, 1980, under the title "Best Selling Inspirational LPs".[2] The current name was adopted on August 16, 2003, in an effort to "streamline" chart titles.[3] The first number-one album was Candle's Music Machine.[2] Amy Grant's Age to Age, released in 1982, topped the chart for 85 consecutive weeks, the longest for any album on the chart.[4]

The current number-one album on the chart is Child of God II by Forrest Frank.[5]

## Artist milestones

[edit]

### Most number-one albums

[edit]

| Artist  | No. | Ref.

|
|

Amy Grant | 17  | [6]
Michael W. Smith | 16  | [7]
MercyMe | 12  | [8]
Steven Curtis Chapman | 9  | [9]
Passion | [10]
Lecrae | [11]
Hillsong United | 8  | [12]
Chris Tomlin | [13]
Casting Crowns | [14]
Elevation Worship | [15]
Third Day | 7  | [16]
Newsboys | [17]
Jeremy Camp | [18]
Hillsong Worship | [19]

### Most cumulative weeks at number one

[edit]

| Artist  | Wks. | Ref.

|
|

Amy Grant | 333  | [6]
Lauren Daigle | 121  | [20]
Sandi Patti | 112  | [21]
Kanye West | 106  | [22]
Michael W. Smith | 86  | [7]
Kirk Franklin | 79  | [23]
Carman | 64  | [24]
Steven Curtis Chapman | 62  | [9]
Casting Crowns | 61  | [14]
MercyMe | 60  | [8]
P.O.D. | 54  | [25]
dc Talk | 53  | [26]
Switchfoot | 48  | [27]
Petra | 44  | [28]

## Album milestones

[edit]

### Most cumulative weeks at number one

[edit]

The following albums have spent at least 30 cumulative weeks atop the chart:

| Artist  | Wks. | Years  | Album  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

Lauren Daigle

| 102  | 2018–23  | Look Up Child | [29]
Kanye West | 98  | 2021–24  | Donda | [30]

Amy Grant

| 85  | 1982–84  | Age to Age | [31]
Sandi Patty | 68  | 1986–88  | Morning Like This | [32]
Amy Grant | 61  | 1984–85  | Straight Ahead | [33]
dc Talk | 38  | 1993–94  | Free at Last | [34]
Switchfoot | 38  | 2004–05  | The Beautiful Letdown | [35]
Amy Grant | 36  | 1985–86  | Unguarded | [36]
Amy Grant | 36  | 1988–89  | Lead Me On | [37]
Forrest Frank | 36  | 2024-25  | Child of God | [38]
LeAnn Rimes | 35  | 1997–98  | You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs | [39]
P.O.D. | 35  | 2001–02  | Satellite | [40]
Carman | 34  | 1989–90  | Revival In the Land | [41]

### Most consecutive weeks at number one

[edit]

The following albums have spent at least 25 consecutive weeks atop the chart:

| Artist  | Wks. | Years  | Album  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

Amy Grant | 85  | 1982–84  | Age to Age | [42]
Amy Grant | 61  | 1984–85  | Straight Ahead |
Sandi Patty | 40  | 1986–87  | Morning Like This |
Lauren Daigle | 37  | 2018–19  | Look Up Child |
Amy Grant | 36  | 1985–86  | Unguarded |
LeAnn Rimes | 35  | 1997–98  | You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs |
Amy Grant | 28  | 1988–89  | Lead Me On |
Amy Grant | 25  | 1987–88  | The Collection |

### Most weeks on the chart

[edit]

The following albums have spent at least 200 weeks on the chart:

Key  Album currently charting, as of Issue April 12, 2025[5] | No. | Artist  | Wks. | Album  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

1  | Skillet | 569  | Awake †  | [43]
2  | Hillsong United | 529  | Zion †  | [44]
3  | Lauren Daigle | 522  | How Can It Be †  | [45]
4  | NF | 493  | Mansion †  | [46]
5  | Chris Tomlin | 471  | How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection †  | [47]
6  | Elevation Worship | 456  | Here as in Heaven †  | [48]
7  | Skillet | 423  | Unleashed †  | [49]
8  | NF | 422  | Therapy Session †  | [50]
9  | Hillsong Worship | 419  | Let There Be Light †  | [51]
10  | Alan Jackson | 408  | Precious Memories Collection †  | [52]
11  | Zach Williams | 391  | Chain Breaker †  | [53]
12  | Amy Grant | 381  | The Collection | [54]
13  | MercyMe | 372  | I Can Only Imagine: The Very Best of MercyMe | [55]
14  | Flyleaf | 357  | Flyleaf | [56]
15  | Lauren Daigle | 344  | Look Up Child | [57]
16  | Elvis Presley | 315  | Elvis: Ultimate Gospel | [58]
17  | For King & Country | 308  | Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong. | [59]
18  | Hillsong Worship | 300  | There Is More | [60]
19  | Amy Grant | 286  | Age to Age | [61]
20  | tobyMac | 285  | This Is Not a Test | [62]
21  | Kanye West | 284  | Jesus Is King | [63]
22  | Zach Williams | 283  | Rescue Story | [64]
23  | For King & Country | 268  | Burn the Ships | [65]
24  | Casting Crowns | 270  | Voice of Truth: The Ultimate Collection | [66]
25  | Elevation Worship | 258  | Graves into Gardens | [67]
26  | Sandi Patty | 257  | More Than Wonderful | [68]
27  | Casting Crowns | 255  | Only Jesus | [69]
28  | Sandi Patty | 237  | Hymns Just for You | [70]
29  | MercyMe | 228  | Lifer †  | [71]
30  | Tauren Wells | 212  | Hills and Valleys | [72]
31  | CeCe Winans | 212  | Believe for It | [73]
32  | Skillet | 207  | Comatose | [74]

## Other achievements

[edit]

* Forrest Frank became the first artist to replace himself at number one on the chart; Frank's album of Child of God II dethroned his album Child of God on May 24, 2025. He repeated the achievement on July 26, 2025.

## Number ones

[edit]

* 1980s
* 1990s
* 2000s
* 2010s
* 2020s

## See also

[edit]

* Hot Christian Songs
* Top Holiday Albums
* Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart (UK)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Billboard Charts Legend". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
2. ^ a b "Best Selling Inspirational LPs" (PDF). Billboard. March 29, 1980. Retrieved November 11, 2019 - via AmericanRadioHistory.
3. ^ "Bad Boys" (PDF). Billboard. August 16, 2003. p. 58. Retrieved November 11, 2019 - via AmericanRadioHistory. "Note that we have streamlined the name of the latter album list, dropping the word 'Contemporary.'"
4. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Amy Grant | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
5. ^ a b "Top Christian Albums". Billboard. July 26, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
6. ^ a b Asker, Jim (February 15, 2018). "Michael W. Smith Returns to Hot Christian Songs Chart: Music Can 'Transform a Life on Every Level'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on July 3, 2019.
7. ^ a b "Michael W. Smith Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
8. ^ a b "MercyMe Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
9. ^ a b "Steven Curtis Chapman Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
10. ^ "Passion Conferences Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
11. ^ "LeCrae Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
12. ^ "Hilsong United Chapman Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
13. ^ "Chris Tomlin Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
14. ^ a b "Casting Crowns Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
15. ^ "Elevation Worship Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
16. ^ "Third Day Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
17. ^ "Newsboys Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
18. ^ "Jeremy Camp Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
19. ^ "Hillsong Worship Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
20. ^ "Lauren Daigle Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
21. ^ "Sandi Patty Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
22. ^ "Kanye West Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
23. ^ "Kirk Franklin Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
24. ^ "Carmen Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
25. ^ "P.O.D. Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 9, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
26. ^ "dc Talk Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
27. ^ "Switchfoot Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
28. ^ "Petra Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
29. ^ "Lauren Daigle – Look Up Child". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
30. ^ "Kanye West – Donda". Billboard. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
31. ^ "Amy Grant – Age to Age". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
32. ^ "Sandi Patty – Morning Like This". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
33. ^ "Amy Grant – Straight Ahead". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
34. ^ "dc Talk – Free at Last". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 11, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
35. ^ "Switchfoot – The Beautiful Letdown". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
36. ^ "Amy Grant – Unguarded". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
37. ^ "Amy Grant – Lead Me On". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
38. ^ "Top Christian Albums". Billboard. July 19, 2025. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
39. ^ "LeAnn Rimes – You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
40. ^ "P.O.D. – Satellite". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 9, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
41. ^ "Carman – Revival In the Land". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 11, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
42. ^ Darden, Bob. "Amy Grant's Phenomenal Success" (PDF). Billboard. p. 37. Retrieved November 11, 2019 - via AmericanRadioHistory.
43. ^ "Skillet – Awake". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
44. ^ "Hillsong United Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
45. ^ "Lauren Daigle Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
46. ^ "NF – Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
47. ^ "Chris Tomlin – How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
48. ^ "Elevation Worship – Here As in Heaven". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
49. ^ "Skillet – Unleashed". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
50. ^ "NF – Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
51. ^ "Hillsong Worship – Let There Be Light". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
52. ^ "Alan Jackson – Precious Memories Collection". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
53. ^ "Zach Williams – Chain Breaker". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
54. ^ "Amy Grant – The Collection". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
55. ^ "MercyMe – I Can Only Imagine: The Very Best of MercyMe". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
56. ^ "Flyleaf – Flyleaf". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
57. ^ "Lauren Daigle – Look Up Child". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
58. ^ "Elvis Presley – Elvis: Ultimate Gospel". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
59. ^ "For King & Country – Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
60. ^ "Hillsong Worship – There Is More". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
61. ^ "Amy Grant – Age to Age". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
62. ^ "tobyMac – This Is Not a Test". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
63. ^ "Kanye West Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
64. ^ "Zach Williams – Rescue Story". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
65. ^ "For King & Country – Burn the Ships". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
66. ^ "Casting Crowns – Voice of Truth: The Ultimate Collection". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
67. ^ "Elevation Worship – Graves into Gardens". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
68. ^ "Sandi Patty – More than Wonderful". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
69. ^ "Casting Crowns – Only Jesus". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
70. ^ "Sandi Patty – Hymns Just For You". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
71. ^ "MercyMe – Lifer". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
72. ^ "Tauren Wells – Hills and Valleys". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
73. ^ "Ce Ce Winans Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
74. ^ "Skillet – Comatose". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2019.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Lists of number ones on the Billboard Christian charts

Number-one albums|

* 1980s
* 1990s
* 2000s
* 2010s
* 2020s

Number-one songs|

* 2000s
* 2010s
* 2020s

* v
* t
* e

Billboard charts

United States|

| All-genre charts|

| Songs|

* Billboard Hot 100
* Radio Songs
* Digital Song Sales
* Streaming Songs
* Bubbling Under Hot 100

|

Albums|

* Billboard 200
* Top Album Sales
* Top Streaming Albums
* Catalog Albums
* Independent Albums

Artists|

* Artist 100
* Emerging Artists

Pop|

* Pop Airplay
* Adult Contemporary
* Adult Pop Airplay

Country|

* Top Country Albums
* Hot Country Songs
* Country Airplay

Rock & Alternative|

* Hot Rock & Alternative Songs
* Mainstream Rock
* Alternative Airplay
* Adult Alternative Airplay

R&B/Hip-Hop|

* Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
* Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
* R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
* Hot Rap Songs
* Hot R&B Songs
* Adult R&B Songs
* Rhythmic

Latin|

* Top Latin Albums
* Hot Latin Songs
* Latin Airplay
* Latin Pop Albums
* Latin Pop Airplay
* Latin Rhythm Albums
* Latin Rhythm Airplay
* Regional Mexican Albums
* Regional Mexican Airplay
* Tropical Albums
* Tropical Airplay

Dance|

* Top Dance Albums
* Hot Dance/Electronic Songs
* Hot Dance/Pop Songs
* Dance/Mix Show Airplay

Christian/Gospel|

* Top Christian Albums
* Hot Christian Songs
* Christian Airplay
* Top Gospel Albums
* Hot Gospel Songs

Other charts|

* Afrobeats Songs
* Americana/Folk Albums
* Christmas/Holiday charts
* Comedy Albums
* Kid Albums
* Smooth Jazz Airplay
* Twitter Real-Time
* World Digital Song Sales

Multinational|

* Billboard Global 200
* Global Excl. US

Other countries
(Hits of the World)|

* Argentina Hot 100
* Brasil Hot 100
* Brasil Artistas 25
* Canadian Albums
* Canadian Hot 100
* Radio China Top 10
* Croatia Songs
* Hong Kong Songs
* India Songs
* Japan Hot 100
* Japanese Hot Albums
* Malaysia Songs
* Mexico Songs
* Philippines Hot 100
* Romania Songs
* South Korea Songs
* Vietnam Hot 100

Defunct charts|

| United States|

* Comprehensive Albums
* Dance Club Songs
* Dance Singles Sales
* Heatseekers charts
* Hot Crossover 30
* Hot Singles Sales
* Pop 100
* TikTok Billboard Top 50
* Top 40 Tracks
* Twitter Real-Time

|

Multinational|

* European Top 100 Albums
* European Hot 100
* European Dance Radio Chart
* Social 50

Other countries|

* Brazil Songs
* China Top 100
* China Airplay/FL
* Greek Aiprlay
* Indonesia Top 100
* K-pop Hot 100
* Mexico Airplay
* Español
* Inglés
* Philippines Songs
* Türkiye Top 20

Related articles|

* Year-End
* Top Artist
* number-one singles and albums
* Decade-End
* Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones
* K-pop on the Billboard charts
* Albums
* Songs
* Japan Hot 100
* World Digital Song Sales
* Year-end

*[No.]: Number
*[Ref.]: Reference(s)
*[Wks.]: Weeks on the chart
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template