You can admire the art and the dedication of the builders without being religious. France itself is a secular state with a division of the State and the Church, and yet President Macron is there, because Notre Dame is a national treasure, not just a religious one.

Also, don't kid yourself about the history of the Church and money. While always verbally pro-poor, in practice, it also always sought connections among the rich. Obscene riches of the high clergy were one of the triggers for the Reformation.

Plus ca change...