Catch, having left, at church afterwards (5)
I believe the answer is:
latch
'catch' is the definition.
(I know that latch is a type of catch)
'left at church afterwards' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'church afterwards' becomes 'ch' (common abbreviation. I am not sure about the 'afterwards' bit.).
'l'+'at'+'ch'='LATCH'
'having' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for latch that I've seen before include "Bar to close" , "Something to secure" , "Door fastener" , "Gate fastening" , "Device for opening door" .)