If a church does not manifest the presence of God, it is still a church?

I have been thinking about this since my visit to the Liverpool Cathedral.

No doubt it is a grand structure. Tall and Magnificent. Spacious. Beautifully decorated with stained-glass. But, the space set aside for worship is only about 1/12 of the floor area and within that, half of the seats are to be taken up by the choir and church staff on duty.

There is a cafe and a souvenir shop inside the Cathedral. Multi-media kiosks can be found. Even elevators have been installed to bring people up the towers for a panoramic view of Liverpool. There are nothing inherently wrong with all these. But if a church becomes merely a tourist attraction, a local icon, a place of interest and God's Word, grace, power and presence can hardly be felt or seen, then I think we should really reflect on what is God's original purpose for churches on earth.

I have seen churches without any image of a Cross. Not on the altar. Not on the doors. Not on the walls. Only drums, keyboards, spotlights, dancers. We are spreading the gospel of the Cross. Christ salvation through the cross. 'It's just a symbol'. But it is loaded with meaning.

A church not speaking of God. Is it still God's abode? Without God, it is just another piece of beautiful architecture... My personal thoughts.

To take this further. Are we merely creatures beautifully created by God? Do we manifest God's love and grace through our actions, thoughts and speech? Without God, we are merely beings, going through the motions of life with little identity, aim or purpose. Let's make God shine through us.