Nice pictures of a beautiful building. I know Evangelicals have been known to build some as well, so this is just a "shot across the bow" for everyone. When I see these pictures it occurs to me that it is a vain attempt to rebuild the Temple.
Why does grandiose, beautiful, architecture have anything to do with real worship?
Good question. A worship space, whether intentionally or unintentionally, tells something about the builders' belief. If the builders truly value what they believe, then they will build accordingly.
There are exceptions to this, of course, in situations where the faithful are under persecution, but otherwise, a bare structure and/or ugly structure built for worship will convey the message, whether intentional or not, that the believers do not value what they believe.
Why does grandiose, beautiful, architecture have anything to do with real worship?
To tell you the truth, I don't really know. The pictures I posted were not of a Catholic church, in fact they were of a Protestant church. More to the point, they are of the church where the Reformation began. Many of those depicted in the statues, stained glass and paintings are not even people from Scripture, they are Protestants.
Should the place of worship where Jesus is present be kept un-beautiful? What does the phrase: Goodness, Truth and Beauty mean to you. Do you believe our worship of God should be about goodness and truth but not beauty?