Unique is Saint Stephen’s Chapel. This isn’t just another church. It’s a landmark steeped in history and faith. Saint Stephen’s Chapel stands elevated above Judge’s Bay.
Let’s step back in time. Bishop George Augustus Selwyn arrived in Auckland. This was in 1844. He sought to establish a new Anglican church. He bought land near Judge’s Bay. His vision led to the first chapel’s construction. It was completed in 1844. Constructed from stone, Bishop Selwyn called it a refreshing sight. Sadly, this original structure succumbed to a hurricane. This was due to poor construction.
Undeterred, Bishop Selwyn commissioned a new chapel. Frederick Thatcher designed the new chapel. This is the Saint Stephen’s Chapel we see today. Completed in 1856, Saint Stephen’s Chapel has a unique floor plan. Unlike other churches built for Bishop Selwyn, Saint Stephen’s Chapel is in the shape of a Greek cross. This symbolizes the establishment of the Anglican Church in New Zealand. Most churches used the traditional Latin cruciform plan.
Now, imagine the scene on June 13, 1857. Seventeen signatories gathered within these walls. They signed the first Constitution of the Anglican Church in New Zealand. The table they used now serves as the altar. Saint Stephen’s Chapel was almost certainly built specifically for this monumental event.
Interestingly, Saint Stephen’s Chapel is made up of five different units. Each one is 10ft by 10 ft. It features high pitched roofs. Small lancet windows adorn Saint Stephen’s Chapel. A belfry sits proudly in the middle.
Time took its toll. By the late 1920s, Saint Stephen’s Chapel had fallen into disrepair. Archbishop Alfred Averill oversaw its restoration. Saint Stephen’s Chapel stands as a testament to resilience.
Saint Stephen’s Chapel and its churchyard were registered. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust recognized it in 1983. It received a Category I listing.
Many prominent figures rest in Saint Stephen’s Chapel’s churchyard. Missionaries Charles Baker and James Kemp are buried here. Politicians Josiah Firth, Frederick Whitaker, and Reader Wood also found their final resting place here.
Today, Saint Stephen’s Chapel is under the care of Holy Trinity Cathedral. Though separate from the main Cathedral precinct, it remains a significant site. Visitors make the journey to see the gravesites of Auckland colonists. Saint Stephen’s Chapel continues to host weekly worship. It is also a popular venue for weddings, funerals, and baptisms. It has been this way for over 160 years.