Schmidt, Bruno C., Reverend

Austin-area Reverend Bruno C. Schmidt's love of the past led him to volunteer for various local historical societies while fulfilling his daily duties as a Methodist minister. Rev. Schmidt served as associate pastor of First United Methodist Church of Austin from 1965 until his retirement in 1979. Since then he has held the position Pastor Emeritus. During his career as a minister, he performed double duty as chairman on the Southwest Texas Conference Historical Commission of the United Methodist Church, the Texas United Methodist Historical Society and Travis County Historical Commission.

During his tenure at the Southwest Texas Conference Historical Commission, of which he was chairman for four years, Rev. Schmidt played an integral role in the declaration of Rutersville College and Oak Island as Methodist historical landmarks. He offered advice on the process for other Methodist markers at La Villita in Bexar County and Fredericksburg College. Rev. Schmidt solicited and received correspondence pertaining to the founding of churches in Texas by Methodist circuit riders and served as a resource for others on this subject. Rev. Schmidt helped create the Texas United Methodist Historical Society and subsequently filled the role of editor for its yearly newsletter the Texas Methodist Historical News for 15 years. In 1984, Schmidt accepted an appointment to the Travis County Historical commission and served as chairman.