Nothing is yet known about the embroidery, chalice or paten in the succeeding two hundred years except that it can be inferred that they were cared for even when the Church building itself was in a poor condition. Then in the 19th century references to all three treasures unexpectedly appear. In 1861 the annual Church Congress of the Church of England (Anglican Church)[22] was inaugurated to provide an opportunity for clerical, lay members and representatives to discuss the religious, moral and social matters pertaining to the Church. It was held in a different ecclesiastical diocese each year. In 1879 the perceived success of these Church Congresses led to the establishment of an additional, accompanying, attraction of a Church Congress Ecclesiastical and Educational Art Exhibition.
The Bacton incumbents in these years were the Revd. Charles Proberts (or Roberts) 1835-1884, Revd. William Harrison 1884-1891, Revd. John Grosvenor Monro M.A. 1891- 1904 and Revd. Charles Thomas Brothers[23] (1863-1953), incumbent 1904 to 1952. Revd. Brothers was a man content with his job and position in life for he refused all offers of preferment (promotion) from several of the six Bishops of Hereford during his tenure. He loved Bacton parish, donating three stained-glass windows to the Church: that depicting Saint Faith in 1905, and Saint Lawrence and Saint Stephen in 1921. He was also chaplain to the Dore Union Workhouse. His sister Edith kept house for him, and it was locally, but kindly, said that she ran the parish for him. When he died, after a tenure of 49 years, the parishioners placed the tablet to his memory in Bacton Church. He was the last incumbent of the single parish, living in the adjacent rectory, before it was joined with Abbeydore.
Little is known about the first two of this group but Revd. Munro was actively involved in restoring Bacton Church and unsuccessively tried to have the Parry windows, removed to Atcham Church near Shrewsbury in 1811, returned. It is probable that it was Revd. Munro who took the embroidery, the chalice and the paten to be displayed in several of these Ecclesiastical Art Exhibitions for his successor, Revd. Brothers noted that the embroidery often used to go away to the Congress Exhibitions. All three treasures were considered to be in the legal ownership of the rector and diocesan permission was obviously not required. It is incredible to think that these priceless treasures were simply packed into a bag and taken as ordinary luggage to various venues around the country.
It may be that Revd. Monro had already organised the next loan for in 1904 Revd. Brothers showed an immediate interest in the embroidery, chalice and paten, taking them all to be displayed at the very next Ecclesiastical Art Exhibition which, in 1904, was held in the Diocese of Liverpool. Each Congress delegate could also obtain an Illustrated Guide to the Church Congress Ecclesiastical Art Exhibition.His description in this loan catalogue is the
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[22] The first Congress was held due to the 1852 revival of convocation. Congresses did not legislate or vote on issues. A list of venues 1861 to 1930 is given on Church Congress. Several of these venues have a copy of the 'Exhibition Guide in their local archives. Hereford was never a host diocese.
[23] Charles Brothers, born in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, attended St. Bees Theological College, Cumberland and was ordained in Newcastle Cathedral. His father was a supervisor of Inland Revenue in Newcastle. He served as a curate in St. John's Church, Percy Main, Tynemouth (now North Shields) where he was described as winning 'the love and esteem of the entire parish by his kindness of heart, amiability of temper and his devotion to duty...an all round, capable and good man.' He moved to Milford Haven and then, from 1902-1904, to Stretton Grandison in Herefordshire before being appointed to Bacton. An historian, he was also interested in music. One of his letters quotes Shakespeare, Milton and George Herbert to support his views on 'the charms of sweet music'. A fellow priest recorded that ' he loves his church and flock too well to leave them, and so he remains - loved by all.' He rang the Church bell every day 'for the Daily Office with such regularity that the parishioners set their clocks and watches by it for they know their Rector is never a moment out in his daily ministration in the Church.' However, 'the sympathy of numbers is lacking. The Rector plays the organ, reads the Service and preaches. In winter time, he lights the boiler which heats the Church, trims and lights the lamps, for there is no one else to do it....In this little Church on the hill the Easter Communions number more than half of the parish including the children. Truly a wonderful record.' Charles Brothers noted the number of communicants in the relevant parish magazine saying that although seventy-six attended, those who did not knew who they were and he hoped their consciences would bring them next time!