Church housing island state extremists (5)
I believe the answer is:
manse
'church housing' is the definition.
'manse' can be an answer for 'housing' (manse is a kind of housing). I am not sure about the 'church' bit.
'island state extremists' is the wordplay.
'island' becomes 'Man' (the Isle of Man is an example).
'extremists' suggests removing the centre (letters on the extreme ends of the word).
'state' with its middle removed is 'se'.
'man'+'se'='MANSE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for manse that I've seen before include "Names (anag.)" , "Scottish vicarage" , "Accommodation" , "Scottish minister's house" , "Scots minister's house" .)
