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Thirty-four years ago, on March 26, 1990 Elizabeth Mackintosh was found brutally murdered in the lower level of the chapel on the campus of Covenant Theological Seminary. By all accounts, Miss Mackintosh was a delightful, faithful, and joyful member of the CTS Community; she was a superb student and excellent conversation partner.

The True Believer podcast has featured numerous interviews with former professors and colleagues of Elizabeth Mackintosh from the Seminary. They all testify to how God seemed to use her to enrich the life of the Seminary community during her time there; whether it was the tough, yet thoughtful questions she asked in class, the way she encouraged her student colleagues, or even the devotion with which she approached her cleaning duties on the campus.

Ruth Serven Smith and TJ Ingrassia have produced a podcast series highlighting both the life and the investigation of Miss Mackintosh’s murder. Last week, they joined the Westminster Standard Podcast to discuss their work, graciously respond to a few of our criticisms or concerns, and give us an overview on where their investigation is headed in weeks to come.

Elizabeth’s life and her brutal murder are worthy of remembering. Not only because she was a person who beautifully and gloriously beamed with God’s image, but because her life was unjustly taken from her on the campus of the PCA’s only seminary.

Now more than three decades later, little has been done by way of memorial or other official remembrance for Miss Mackintosh. On the episode we heard from two CTS alumni, TEs Nate Xanders and Charles Stover, who expressed regret that during their time as students there was so little said about this act of injustice committed on the Seminary grounds.

Likewise on the True Believer podcast, other CTS alumni share their shock to learn about the murder and their chagrin that it was not discussed at all during their time as students.

It seems clear that the PCA needs to “do something” about this. While it is not within the purview of the PCA to catch her killer, nonetheless it is certainly salutary that the PCA both continue to plead with God to grant justice for her killer, vindication for those who have been falsely accused over the last thirty years, and most of all to remember Miss Mackintosh with thanksgiving.

Various people have expressed various ways of doing this. Some have suggested a bench or a tree planted in her memory, others a plaque in the chapel to mark her life, still others have proposed a scholarship or a building named in her honor. Each - or all - of these are worthy of consideration.

A key way of ensuring action by the PCA in this regard may come through an overture to the General Assembly. Of course the Seminary Board might take action on its own, but it is also proper that the General Assembly direct its own agencies according to the will of the Assembly.

As such, a friend and I drafted the following potential overture. Our two presbyteries will not meet next until after the deadline (May 10, 2024) for overture submissions, but perhaps this draft might serve as a starting point for another elder or presbytery desiring to see the 51st General Assembly take some action regarding this often overlooked event in the history of the PCA.

Our desire is to be helpful and to encourage a presbytery that meets between now and the GA Overture deadline (May 10, 2024) to aid the Assembly in remembering Miss Mackintosh, so please feel free to make whatever changes you like if this draft is helpful to you. It’s also available as a formatted Word doc.

OVERTURE from <Session or Presbytery>:

“Honoring Miss Elizabeth Mackintosh and Calling for Transparency and Justice”

Whereas, the life and tragic death of Miss Elizabeth Mackintosh, who was murdered in the Rayburn Chapel Basement on March 26, 1990, remains a somber chapter in the history of the Presbyterian Church in America, deeply felt by her loved ones, the broader church family, and all who value human life and justice; and

Whereas, pursuing truth and justice are fundamental to our faith as Presbyterians, because of our commitment to the dignity of every human being and to the principles of righteousness and peace; and

Whereas, during the time of this tragic event, Dr. Paul Kooistra served as President and Dr. Bryan Chapell served as Vice President of Covenant Theological Seminary, marking a period in the institution’s history that is worthy of reflection and action in the pursuit of truth and justice; and

Whereas, in the wake of this tragic event, the Covenant Theological Seminary administration encouraged students, faculty, and staff to cooperate and assist the police investigation; and

Whereas, the unresolved nature of Ms. Mackintosh’s case continues to cast a shadow over the hearts of those who knew her and the institutions associated with this grievous event, leaving unanswered questions and a yearning for closure and healing; and

Whereas, Covenant Theological Seminary may hold records or evidence pertinent to the investigation of Miss Mackintosh’s murder that have not yet been fully examined or discovered; and

Whereas, the Creve Coeur Police Department, representing the civil authorities tasked with ensuring justice and public safety, requires the cooperation of all individuals and institutions that might contribute information or insight into unsolved cases;

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the 51st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America hereby honors the memory of Miss Elizabeth Mackintosh, recognizes the profound loss experienced by her family, friends, and our community, and acknowledges the enduring need for justice in her case by directing Covenant Theological Seminary to name its student center or a portion thereof in her honor; and

Be it further resolved, that this General Assembly directs the Covenant Theological Seminary administration and board to conduct a thorough review of its records and holdings for any and all evidence, reports, or documentation related to the murder of Miss Elizabeth Mackintosh and to continue its commitment to full transparency and cooperation with the Creve Coeur Police Department and any other governmental investigative bodies by turning over any potential additional relevant evidence, internal investigations, and/or reports in order to facilitate the pursuit of truth and justice; and

Be it further resolved, that this General Assembly commends the Covenant Theological Seminary past and present administration, faculty, and board for their past cooperation with the investigations by lawful authorities and directs them to continue to support any official law enforcement investigation inquiry into this matter; and

Be it further resolved, that this overture be communicated with compassion and urgency to the leadership of Covenant Theological Seminary, the Creve Coeur Police Department, and the wider community, as a testament to our collective commitment to righteousness, peace, and the sanctity of human life; and

Be it finally resolved, that we, as a body of believers, commit to prayer for all those affected by this tragedy, for the progress of the investigation, for the execution of justice, and for peace and healing to prevail in the hearts of all involved.

Adopted by <name> on <date>

/s/ <name>, Stated Clerk

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