Time in Church House, ignoring special sponsorship (9)
I believe the answer is:
patronage
'sponsorship' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for patronage that I've seen before include "financial backing" , "supporting role" , "Sponsorship - condescending manner" , "The power to control privileges" , "Support" .)