Jack, As XX has clearly stated these buildings were erected by the labour of "the people" the masons, the carpenters etc etc. Now I, and you, have to pay to visit a so-called house of god. Something fundamentally wrong with that in my book.

BTW I do understand the massive cost of upkeep. I used to be responsible for the running of various buildings in my employ for most of the last twenty years of my working life.