Incense in a German city church (7)

I believe the answer is:

essence

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'incense' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to thinking as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'german city church' is the wordplay.
'german city' becomes 'essen' (city in Germany).
'church' becomes 'CE' (abbreviation for Church of England).
'essen'+'ce'='ESSENCE'

'in a' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for essence that I've seen before include "one of 21 [HEARTS]" , "required property" , "Key" , "Perfume or distillation" , "Vital part of something" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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