The Rt. Rev. Monsignor Marius Etienne Chataignon
Galveston, Galveston County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(September 17, 1886 - November 18, 1957) A native of France, Marius Etienne Chataignon served in the French army before coming to the United States in 1907. He came to Texas in 1910 to attend St. Mary's Seminary in La Porte. After his ordination, he was appointed assistant pastor at St. Mary's Cathedral in Galveston in 1911. Chataignon served as a chaplain in the U. S. Army in France during World War I. Appointed chaplain in the U. S. Army Officers Reserve Corps in 1923, he also served with the Texas National Guard, 36th Division. In 1924 he became pastor of Galveston's Sacred Heart Church. In 1942 "Father Chat, Galveston's soldier priest," as he was fondly known, was promoted to the rank of colonel and served as chief chaplain of the II Corps, 5th Army in North Africa and Italy during World War II. Pope Pius XII appointed Father Chataignon to the rank of domestic Prelate in 1943. Monsignor Chataignon returned to Sacred Heart Church in 1945 a highly decorated veteran and retired from the army in 1953. During his years as pastor at Sacred Heart, "Father Chat" was instrumental in the establishment of the Odin High School for Boys which became Kirwin High School, and he organized Boy Scout troops. He is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Dickinson. (1991) Incise on base: Msgr. Chataignon Knights of Columbus #9978
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
A native of France who had served in its army, Marius Etienne Chataignon came to the United States in 1907 and to Texas in 1910, entering the priesthood and serving parishes in Galveston. He was a U.S. Army chaplain in France during World War I, and in World War II — promoted to colonel and known fondly as Father Chat, Galveston's soldier priest — he served as chief chaplain of the II Corps, 5th Army in North Africa and Italy. Returning a decorated veteran, he led Sacred Heart Church and helped establish a Catholic high school for boys before retiring from the Army in 1953.
Why it matters
Chataignon's life bridges immigrant faith and American military service across two world wars, embodying the chaplains who ministered to soldiers on distant fronts.
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