I'm very much in the low-ostentation side of things. To me, it becomes a distraction, and is a waste of money that could go to much better uses. I don't begrudge a congregation having a comfortable place to worship, but I do question the priorities of a place with a lot of gilding and obviously expensive stuff. If the pastor drives a Benz, there's something wrong. The praying-in-the-living-room is much more my style, though. I prefer a smaller community, should I ever find a good one.
There's some things that can be appreciated about the more ornamental religious buildings. They're aesthetically pleasing and often rich in cultural history. Sometimes though, I think they can be too much, especially if for one reason or another they're becoming financial burdens. There's a lot of give and take though, cause on one hand money could be better spent in other ways but on the other hand, people might see a value in the buildings that extend beyond finances. Which then brings up the whole idea of materialism and detachment and the question of how much might that apply to places people consider literally and truly sacred? One of the really interesting things that I've noticed, at least here in my part of The States, is that people are getting creative in where they're holding church. I've seen everything from coffee shops being rented out every Sunday morning to buildings like old barns, restaurants, and even bars being bought up and converted to Churches. As for Baha'is, some larger cities will have Baha'i centers, but for many smaller communities, feasts, devotions, and holy days are just held in someone's living room. It's kind of nice. That said, I've been inside some awesome buildings and it's a shame to think of any of them falling into disrepair.
Sure, but historical and ostentatious don't have to go together. I grew up in Williamsburg, and we have three super-old church buildings, none of which are particularly garish. Hickory Neck, built in 1734 and where I was baptized) Bruton Parish, formed in 1674 (current building constructed in 1715), where my parents got married * The Wren Chapel, built 1695-1699, where my wife and I were married (here's what the inside looks like) When I first started attending Quaker Meeting (also in Williamsburg), it was in someone's living room. I like that even better.