Dr. Goss, the Bishop of Liverpool, who had consecrated St. Anne’s in 1853, visited the church every three years and so was able to see for himself how its congregation was expanding. During his visit in August 1871, the bishop administered confirmation to almost 200 persons. The community at the retreat was also growing and by 1879 consisted of nine priests, eight lay brothers and four clerical brothers. Six years later a newspaper article stated that there were 26 religious clerics and 14 students resident at the Sutton Monastery.