This is the first time I am hearing that churches collect entrance fee, you know before I used to think that church is supposed to be a free place to go to but it seems most churches don't view it that way.
I must say the photographs are Wow! church of St. Michael looks beautiful especially from the inside. It's nice to know that the entrance was free.
Most likely you haven't traveled a lot, but you can see entrance fee to churches in quite a lot of countries.