Across

1 Car performance chart gets signature (9)

6 Distribution of alms by a father of Bethlehem (5)

9 Minister who could be head of chapter shortly? (5)

10 Understanding English group returned and managed church (9)

11 Notice disagreement and cut loose (6)

12 Heated argument that emanates from the belfry? (4-4)

14 Act about to herald reformed worship centre (9)

16 Arab nervously holds captain of Saul’s army (5)

17 Most gifted leader ignored or favoured by God? (5)

18 Ordinal that being old is associated with ‘all people’ (9)

20 Chapel has been redesigned — ultimately nice with almost nothing (8)

22 Free to think again? (6)

25 Such spirited research is out of this world (9)

26 Priest attached to Old Testament poet (5)

27 One presenting retro-screen in church with new heart (5)

28 Dreadful thing before autumn that brings darkness (9)

Down

1 Antique rocking chair found in empty attic (7)

2 Often organist gives this chorister a hiding (5)

3 Enjoyment, say, upset peculiar celt — go down to show respect (9)

4 A holy book of information unopened (4)

5 Is in Palestine — or somewhere off the Northumberland coast! (4,6)

6 Indifferent gesture from reflective guru unable to finish following hint to be quiet (5)

7 Cain’s place of exile is somewhere for the somnolent (4,2,3)

8 One who gets even the archdeacon into awful rage (7)

13 Senior minister turned charade to deception (10)

15 Historian, see, following cleric in brown (9)

16 Harmony ensuing when English chaps intervene during great rioting (9)

17 Made contact with old PM sitting up in bed (7)

19 Biblical woman and biblical man having superior conversation mostly (7)

21 There the last shall be first — something of a knock-out (5)

23 Some clerical female (5)

24 Shoe left stuck in wheel (4)

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