Monsignor Martin Thomas Laughlin

Monsignor Martin T. Laughlin was born in 1926 and lived his early life in Arkansas City, Kansas with his mother and father and four brothers and a sister. The family consisted of Irish immigrants and Monsignor’s father worked in the meat packing business. The family was devoutly Catholic and from an early age, the children were taught many Catholic values one of which was hard work. The Monsignor and his siblings lived in a loving home where faith and the worship of God were paramount. 

Monsignor Laughlin attended Catholic grade school locally and upon graduation attended Catholic Loras Liberal Arts College in Dubuque, Iowa. The small college was for men only and Martin pursued an English degree and wanted to become a journalist. During this time, the Monsignor went on a retreat, and it had a profound impact on his life. He chose to become a priest and entered Saint Paul Seminary after graduation from Loras College where all learning was conducted in Latin. Upon completion of his Seminary curriculum, he was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa. Shortly thereafter, he attended Notre Dame University where he received a master's in educational psychology. He then was assigned as Spiritual Director of Saint Bernard’s Seminary and Loras College. Upon completion of these former assignments, Martin served as pastor of several churches in Iowa.

The Monsignor was very well liked by the parishioners in the various parishes he pastored. However, these successes led him to become appointed to Catholic Charities in Arizona where he did primarily prison work of prisoner rehabilitation and counseling. After several years in this assignment, it was time to move on. 

One of Monsignor Laughlin's former teachers from Loras College became pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church on Hilton Head Island and invited him to come to Hilton Head; Monsignor Laughlin became pastor of Saint Peter’s Church in Beaufort for ten years. He started Saint Peter’s Catholic School which flourishes to this day.  Bishop Robert Baker appointed Monsignor Laughlin pastor of Saint Francis by the Sea Church in 1996.  In 1997 Monsignor Laughlin retired but not for long.  In 1998 Monsignor Laughlin was named chaplain of Christ the Divine Teacher School in Charleston then pastor of Sacred Heart Parish.  Monsignor Laughlin went on to serve at Saint Mary’s and Saint Cyprian’s in Georgetown, Saint Joseph, Anderson then returned to Holy Family and Saint Francis by the Sea, 2003 to 2005.  In September 2004, Monsignor Laughlin was named Vicar General of the Diocese of Charleston.  Monsignor Laughlin next served at Winnsboro, John’s Island, and Bluffton.  Monsignor Laughlin became Administrator of the Diocese of Charleston in September 2007 with the departure of Bishop Robert Baker and served until the installation of Bishop Robert Guglielmone in March 2009. Monsignor Laughlin retired again but served as Administrator of St. Andrew’s Myrtle Beach and Saint Francis by the Sea in the period 2010 to 2011.

In 2019 Monsignor Laughlin came back to live on Hilton Head. He also has offered to help with celebrating mass and other services at St. Francis. He is extremely well liked, loved and admired among the parishioners for the many, many years he has devoted his life to God and service to His flock. The Monsignor is a strong patriot in our country and embodies our traditional American values and morals. He is a very humble, respectful and insightful man and priest. He is a superb role model for our Hilton Head Knights’ Assembly 2250. St. Joseph is his favorite saint, and he lived his life in parallel to the many Catholic values St. Joseph embodied.

Monsignor Laughlin was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas J. Laughlin and Eleanor (Seibers) Laughlin, an infant sister, Mary, 3 brothers, David, James and Thomas. 2 Sister-in-laws Sharon (David) and Eileen (John). 5 nephews, 1 Great Neice and 1 Great Nephew. Survived by his last brother, John and sister-in-law Suzann (James). 14 nieces and nephews, 39 great nieces and nephews and 24 great-great nieces and nephews. 

Services for Monsignor Laughlin are as follows. There will be a Vigil at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church on March 19,2025 starting at 3:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church on March 20,2025 at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at The Holy Cross Cemetery in Charleston, South Carolina. The Island Funeral Home and Crematory.