ALTENBACH'S ARCHITECTURAL LEGACY STILL LIVES ON IN SHELBY COUNTY...Pg 2

Also in 1890, the Wagners and other industrialists began a recruiting campaign to woo other businesses to Sidney, similar to the activities of the Western Ohio Development Council today. By offering a free building site, the group was able to convince The Buckeye Churn Company of Carey, Ohio to move to Sidney in 1891. Altenbach built the Buckeye Churn facility on Park Street. It manufactured wooden washing machines, butter churns and building products such as doors, siding and shingles. The Prima Washing Manufacturing Company (shown above) later occupied the building. It has since been torn down.

The successful relationships he had developed with the Wagners and I.H. Thedieck were to play a role once more when he was awarded the contract to build a new church for the Holy Angels congregation. The cornerstone on was laid on April 26, 1891. Altenbach faced a daunting task. The plans called for a building 140 feet by 60 feet with two towers- one of which was to be 165 feet high. No Sidney builder had ever attempted such a complex task. Under the watchful eye of Father Quatman, construction steadily progressed. One million bricks were laid. Altenbach and his men toiled for over a year. When the magnificent structure was completed and the church consecrated on May 15, 1892 over 5,000 people from all over the state assembled to view this remarkable edifice. The demand for his services continued to increase. He was awarded contracts for and completed construction of a church and school buildings for both the Catholic and Lutheran congregations in Piqua.

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