Strange patterns in part of church (8)
I believe the answer is:
transept
'part of church' is the definition.
('transept' is part of 'church')
'strange patterns' is the wordplay.
'strange' indicates anagramming the letters.
'patterns' with letters rearranged gives 'TRANSEPT'.
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for transept that I've seen before include "Part of a church - patterns (anag)" , "Patterns in part of church at right angle to nave" , "Section of church" , "It crosses the nave in church" , "Part of church off aisle" .)