Spread and controlled by church (5)
I believe the answer is:
ranch
'spread' is the definition.
('ranch' can be a synonym of 'spread')
'controlled by church' is the wordplay.
'controlled' becomes 'ran' (I've seen this in other clues).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'church' becomes 'ch' (common abbreviation**).
'ran'+'ch'='RANCH'
'and' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ranch that I've seen before include "Stock farm in US, Aus." , "Hacienda" , "where stock is held" , "Cattle estate" , "stock holding?" .)