9 October 2025 | London, UK [Catherine Anthony Boldeau with tedNEWS]
The UK’s gospel music community gathered at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, London, on 4 October to celebrate a historic moment: the inaugural Gospel Music Hall of Fame UK Induction Ceremony. The event, held as part of the 2025 International Music Summit, paid tribute to more than 30 artists and ensembles who have shaped the sound and soul of British gospel music. Among those honoured were several members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, whose musical ministries have profoundly influenced both faith and culture across the UK.
The evening was one of joy and recognition as figures such as Professor Ken Burton, internationally renowned conductor and choirmaster at Croydon Seventh-day Adventist Church, were inducted for their long-standing contribution to the genre. Burton, who leads both the London Adventist Chorale and Croydon SDA Gospel Choir, has become a household name through his work on Songs of Praise and his musical direction on major national and international stages.
Joining him was Dr Charmaine Elliott, founder of the Giant Gospel Choir, whose vibrant performances have inspired audiences for more than two decades. Elliott and members of the choir, including Tony Best, Paulette Francis, Cheyenne Malcom, Ruth Whyte, Joanne J, Ray Stewart, and Sinclair Malcom, were recognised collectively for their dynamic role in advancing gospel excellence. The award highlighted not only their musical skill but also their commitment to ministry through music.
Also inducted was Paul Lee, affectionately known as “The Wedding Singer”, whose voice has graced countless church events and national occasions over six decades. Though unable to attend in person, his contribution as a solo artist and former member of the quartet Tessera was warmly acknowledged by organisers and peers alike.
Rounding out the Adventist honourees were The Golden Chords, a pioneering group founded in the early 1970s by Hugo Kennedy, including Stephanie Ferguson. Known for their harmonious blend and enduring faith witness, The Golden Chords have performed across the UK and Europe, appearing in major venues such as the Royal Festival Hall and on gospel television broadcasts that helped define a generation of Christian music.
Held in the same church where Dr Martin Luther King Jr preached during his 1961 visit to London, the induction ceremony carried deep historical and spiritual resonance. It was not only a celebration of musical talent but also an acknowledgment of the faith communities that have sustained and inspired gospel music’s growth in Britain.
For the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the occasion was a reminder of its longstanding engagement with the arts as a vehicle for worship and witness. Through choirs, composers, and soloists, Adventists have consistently contributed to the soundscape of gospel music that continues to uplift and unite communities across generations.
[Photos: Catherine Anthony Boldeau].
The original version of this article first appeared on the British Union Conference’s website.
