Whence the cowboys managed to get to church (5)

I believe the answer is:

ranch

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'whence the cowboys' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'managed to get to church' is the wordplay.
'managed to get' becomes 'ran' (I've seen this in other clues).
'to church' becomes 'ch' (common abbreviation).
'ran'+'ch'='RANCH'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ranch that I've seen before include "Cattle-breeding farm in America, say in Texas" , "Run a cattle farm" , "American house?" , "Large US cattle farm" , "Where to keep stock" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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