"Are we going to ever be forgiven?"

But God has already forgiven us (through Christ). The problem is: we can't forgive ourselves, don't you think?

Is part of the problem illustrated by the beautiful churches in your post?

Some great men accumulate great wealth through deception, cheating, fraud, avarice. Then, towards the end of their lives, they try to bribe God for forgiveness (which their own consciences won't give to themselves) by making donations for magnificent monuments to His glory.

It is laughable. The greatest works of men are nothing beside God's glory......and men are already forgiven by God. They just can't forgive themselves LoL.