interior of a catholic church, empty pews leading to ornate altar with stained glass windows, arched ceilings, and marble columns

aisle altar apse arches architecture art candles cathedral catholic ceiling ceremony checkered christianity church columns contemplation craftsmanship crucifix culture design devotion empty faith floor gothic grandeur heritage history holy interior kneelers lectern light marble mass meditation nave ornate peaceful perspective pews prayer pulpit quiet religion reverence ritual sacred sanctuary serenity shadows silence spiritual stainedglass symmetry traditional transept vaulted windows wood worship