The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word MINSTER
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
M
I
N
S
T
E
R
More clues leading to the result MINSTER
- Cleric leaving one place of worship
- Bloke receiving Communion finally in church
- Spray over top of neglected church building
- Its Dean has dropped a clanger; several, actually
- Mist envelops northern queen somewhere in Kent
- Man going round Northern church
- Name included in title for local edifice
- Man’s address is around New York’s cathedral?
- Member of clergy one’s found in their workplace?
- Important church priest, one I overlooked
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "church" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case church = minster.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does MINSTER mean?
MINSTER noun- A monastic church.
- A cathedral church without any monastic connection.