Crossword Genius

Large part of church starts in the centre (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

navel

'the centre' is the definition.
(navel is a kind of centre)

'large part of church starts' is the wordplay.
'large' becomes 'L' (eg in clothes sizes).
'part of church' becomes 'nave' (area of a church building).
'starts' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'l' after 'nave' is 'NAVEL'.

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for navel that I've seen before include "Where the umbilical cord was once attached" , "Variety of orange" , "Part of body; sort of orange" , "Scar on the stomach (for gazing at?)" , "Tummy button" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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