The church always brings comfort (5)
I believe the answer is:
cheer
'comfort' is the definition.
(cheer can mean to comfort or gladden someone)
'the church always' is the wordplay.
'the church' becomes 'ch' (common abbreviation).
'always' becomes 'eer' (poetic way of saying ever).
'ch'+'eer'='CHEER'
'brings' is the link.
(Other definitions for cheer that I've seen before include "Fare" , "Shout of praise or joy" , "Jolly" , "Applaud and acclaim" , "Urge on" .)