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Jim Jones is born in Crete, Indiana
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Jones creates the Community Unity Church
Jones had to sell monkeys in order to rent out the space for the church in Indianapolis -
Jones bought a church building, naming it "Wings of Deliverance"
This building was located in a racially mixed neighborhood. The church was later renamed the "Peoples Temple Full Gospel Church." Jones would fake faith healings in order to generate faith and financial gain. -
The Peoples Temple opens a soup kitchen for those in need
The main reason for this was to increase social reputation. The Peoples Temple's profile was further elevated when Jones was inducted into the Indianapolis Human Rights Commission. -
Jones predicts that nuclear war is on the Horizon
Jones claims to the Temple that he has a vision that Indianapolis and Chicago were going to be collateral of nuclear warfare. This convinces people to try to look for a new location. -
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Jim Jones tours Brazil, seeking suitable shelter
An Esquire article in 1962 mentioned that the safest place to be during nuclear war is Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Jones moves to Brazil while he researches a resettlement spot for the church. -
Jones and his family move to Ukiah, California to open churches there.
Many of the Peoples Temple supported followed suit, fearing the nuclear attack predicted by Jones. Jones declares the Bible as placebo and how he is God's true prophet. -
The new Ukiah location was admitted to the Disciples of Christ
Jones used this new admission in order to recruit for the People's Temple. In just a year, he had raised the member count by 200. -
Jones opens two new churches in Los Angeles and San Francisco
The Temple was located at 1859 Geary Boulevard in San Francisco, in a former Scottish Rite temple. The Temple was housed in the former First Church of Christ, Scientist building at 1366 S. Alvarado Street in Los Angeles. -
The Peoples Temple submits a lease for 27,000 acres of land in Guyana
The Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, or "Jonestown," was the name given to the community that sprung up on this area of land. -
The Guyana Government approves the lease for 3852 acres of land instead
The Guyana Commissioner of Lands and Surveys issued a land license providing the Temple's agricultural community access to 3852 acres in Guyana's Northwest Region. -
A news article is published alleging Jim Jones of abuse
After the editor of the News West magazine reads out the article, Jim Jones flees to Guyana. He urged other members of the People's Temple to follow. The population of Jonestown grew to 900 in under a year. -
Congressman Leo Ryan announces his visitation to Jonestown
The main reason for this is to investigate charges made by constuents. The Resolution of Community, signed by 600 Jonestown residents, expresses opposition to Ryan's presence. -
Leo Ryan and his group arrive in Jonestown
The group are entertained by Jones and are invited to stay the night in Jonestown. During Ryan's visit, a number of Temple members expressed a desire to leave with him -
Ryan and four others are assassinated. 12 others are wounded at Port Kaituma Airstrip
At the airstrip, Ryan and the defectors were intercepted by self-styled Temple security guards who opened fire on the group, killing Ryan and three journalists as well as injuring twelve others. -
918 people die from murder/suicide in Jonestown
Jones instructed his people in Jonestown to consume a combination of cyanide-laced, grape-flavored Flavor Aid that evening. Those who refused to swallow the poison were shot if they didn't. Jones was later discovered with a bullet wound to the head, indicating that he had committed suicide.