Little creatures with sleeping-place, one by church (7)

I believe the answer is:

dormice

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'little creatures' is the definition.
'dormice' can be an answer for 'creatures' (dormouse is a kind of creature). I also know that 'little' relates to this answer.

'sleeping-place one by church' is the wordplay.
'sleeping-place' becomes 'dorm' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'one' becomes 'I' (Roman numeral).
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'church' becomes 'CE' (abbreviation for Church of England).
'dorm'+'i'+'ce'='DORMICE'

'with' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dormice that I've seen before include "little things?" , "Bushy-tailed rodents" , "Furry animals" , "For these heavy sleepers" , "Small field rodents" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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