Crossword Genius

A club to set up church teaching? Proper shambles (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abattoir

'proper shambles' is the definition.
(shambles could historically mean a slaughterhouse)

'a club to set up church teaching?' is the wordplay.
'club' becomes 'bat' (as in sporting equipment).
'set up' says the letters should be written backwards (in a down clue, letters go up).
'church teaching?' becomes 'RI' (Religious Instruction).
'ri' written backwards gives 'ir'.
'a'+'bat'+'to'+'ir'='ABATTOIR'

(Other definitions for abattoir that I've seen before include "A slaughter house for cattle" , "Animal slaughter-house" , "it makes a killing" , "Building for butchering animals" , "stunning location" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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