[1] Chen was born in Changzhi, Shanxi, Qing Empire on November 7, 1875.

He entered the Franciscans in 1896 in a village named Dong'ergou (洞儿沟).

He then served as a missionary for nine years and then became secretary to two Italian bishops.

In addition to teaching Latin and apologetics at the Taiyuan Priesthood Seminary, he led a Catholic middle school in the city.

He was appointed apostolic vicar by Fenyang on May 10, 1926, and was consecrated by Pope Pius XI on October 28, 1926.