In the old anglican church at Parnell in Auckland, known as St.Stephen's Chapel, was signed the Deed which gave the Church of New Zealand its own constitution. This was on the 13th June 1857. The first church here was made of stone in 1844 but collapsed during a hurricane. Bishop Selwyn, with the help of Frederick Thatcher, designed the present wooden church.

The carving on the pulpit shows Bishop Selwyn walking out of the chapel, with up-raised hand saying, "well, then, we understand the Constitution is settled". To the left of the Bishop is Bishop Abraham and Archdeacon Hadfield. On the right, Sir William Martin the Chief Justice and Mr. Swainson the Attorney General. On the extreme right is the sea, with a boatman hailing the passengers and the background represents the North Shore of Auckland Harbour.