Lighthouses are more helpful than churches

Were I a Roman Catholic, perhaps I should on this occasion vow to build a chapel to some saint, but as I am not, if I were to vow at all, it should be to build a light-house.

[Letter to his wife, 17 July 1757, after narrowly avoiding a shipwreck; often misquoted as "Lighthouses are more helpful than churches."]

I donate heavily to the church and various churches in the Detroit community and food banks.

Many churches today have special programs for people who are grieving, and these can be very helpful.

If you close your eyes, no lighthouse can help you!

I never weary of great churches. It is my favourite kind of mountain scenery. Mankind was never so happily inspired as when it made a cathedral.