How RTMC went out over the airwaves of FEBA Radio — 1964 to 1977
Malcolm & Maureen Fidge • Members, RTMC 1964–1972
Members 1964–1972; worked FEBA Radio; during this period, recorded the Sunday evening service for the weekly broadcast Church of the Air; thanksgiving for the fellowship and privilege.
RTMC Beyond Its Walls
Dr J.S.C. Fredrick
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, RTMC reached beyond its walls via radio. Sunday morning services were broadcast live by FEBA, while the Sunday evening service was recorded and aired as Church of the Air.
Worship went into Bangalore homes and, through FEBA, reached an international audience.
The FEBA Connection
Malcolm Fidge was Chief Engineer at FEBA and a member of RTMC. His presence, along with Maureen, ensured that the recording and technical work was carried out with care.
FEBA’s first Director, Gordon Bell, and family members also lived on Kingston Road opposite the church. The connection was both professional and congregational.
Sunday Morning — Live from RTMC
The 10am Sunday morning service was broadcast live each week. Rev Fred Gokavi led, and Rev Theodore Williams preached.
The well-prepared sermons drew a full house every Sunday morning.
Rev Allen Buckwalter and his wife Leoda, an accomplished pianist and members of the congregation, also ministered with the pastoral team.
Church of the Air
Evening services drew people from across the city. At a time when most Bangalore churches did not conduct Sunday evening services, RTMC’s evening service became a gathering point for the wider Christian community.
Malcolm recorded the service for Church of the Air. The programme ran for years of their membership and extended the reach of the congregation.
“The Sunday evening services drew people from all over the city, and went out over FEBA Radio as Church of the Air — the voice of RTMC reaching far beyond Richmond Town.”
— Editorial Team
Youth in the Limelight
From 1972–1977, Youth in the Limelight, sponsored by RTMC on FEBA, featured talented young musicians and singers each week.
It was an investment in youth and in the wider public, giving young people whose gifts deserved a larger audience the opportunity to be heard.
A Church with an International Community
The international community in Bangalore was significant, and RTMC drew many of them.
USAID staff associated with the University of Agricultural Sciences were active.
Mr Arden Godshall, a water-well drilling expert with an NGO, led the RTMC choir from 1970–1975. His wife was also active, and the family sang special songs.
“Jerusalem”
Good Friday was inseparable from Arden Godshall’s rendering of “Jerusalem.”
His rich baritone filled the building, and the church reverberated with the sound.
It became a musical memory carried across decades.
Malcolm & Maureen Fidge
Members, Richmond Town Methodist Church • 1964–1972
Dr J.S.C. Fredrick
Historical account
