Church recesses (5)
I believe the answer is:
apses
'church recesses' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for apses that I've seen before include "Domed areas in church, usually where the altars are" , "Domed areas in churches" , "Parts of church" , "Does 'e pass these in churches?" , "Domed areas in church, usually where the altar is" .)