John Mary Joseph Benedict Chanche, S.S., (October 4, 1795 – July 22, 1852) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church.

He was born to well-to-do parents, John and Catherine Provost Chanche, who had fled to Baltimore from the French colony of Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti), where his father had been a merchant, during the Haitian Revolution.

Chanche began his theological studies in 1814, and received minor orders from Archbishop Leonard Neale.

In 1833, he was chosen as Master of Ceremonies for the Second Provincial Council of Baltimore, a major step by the bishops of the nation in organizing its structure.

[1] Chanche was twice offered the post of coadjutor bishop, first to the Archdiocese of Baltimore and then to the Diocese of Boston, but he declined both appointments.

He was consecrated March 14, 1841 by Archbishop Eccleston at the Baltimore Basilica, assisted by Bishops Benedict Fenwick and John Hughes.

"The Chanche medals, named for the first bishop of the diocese, honor those who give of themselves to their parish or faith community.