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jim jones, people’s temple, jonestown

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jim jones in brazil

from jim jones, people’s temple, jonestown posted in history by pete_nice

In February of 1962, Jim Jones moved with his family to the city of Belo Horizonte in Brazil. Originally staying at the first-class Hotel Financial, the family soon settled onto the street of Rua Maraba, surrounded by doctors, lawyers and other professionals.

The mysteries surrounding Jones's work during this time is a matter of debate. It was during this period that Jones first visited British Guiana.

The family moved back to Indianapolis in December of 1963.

Source 1, Source 2

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people’s temple of the disciples of christ

from jim jones, people’s temple, jonestown posted in history by pete_nice

Built in 1912 for the First Church of Christ, Scientist denomination, this church was taken over by the Peoples Temple in 1972. Although their spiritual headquarters was in San Francisco at the time, the organization used this location for recruitment.

The building was abandoned when the Peoples Temple made their exodus to Guyana. Today, the building is the home to Iglesia Adventista Central church.

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peoples temple (sf)

from jim jones, people’s temple, jonestown posted in history by pete_nice

The Peoples Temple moved to their new digs at this address in 1971, the former home of the Albert Pike Memorial Scottish Rite temple. The church purchased the building the following year for $122,500.

The group opened a branch in Los Angeles in 1972 as well. Eventually, they convinced many of the Angelinos to move to San Francisco. By 1975, Peoples Temple had abandoned their plan of making the Redwood Valley their "promised land", and instead focused on recruiting and building the congregation in the Bay Area.

Today, the location is a post office.

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Note: I'm not really sure if it's People's Temple or Peoples Temple. I initially thought that the apostrophe was used to indicate that the people owned the temple (People's), but maybe since the direction of the ownership was questionable in this instance, it is without the possessive form (Peoples).

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people’s temple of redwood

from jim jones, people’s temple, jonestown posted in history by pete_nice

After Jim Jones read an Esquire magazine article about the best places to survive a nuclear holocaust, he moved his church and its followers to northern California.

The People's Temple took up residence at this location. As the church looked to expand its membership, it later moved to San Francisco.

Since 1995, it has been home to the Redwood Valley Assembly of God.

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people’s temple (original)

from jim jones, people’s temple, jonestown posted in history by pete_nice

After growing his congregation in a basement, Jim Jones moved the flock to this location of their first church. Renamed the "People's Temple," Jones organized soup kitchens and unemployment assistance for hundreds of people. He and his wife adopted eight children of several different ethnicities.

However, Jones's outspoken integration of African Americans into the conservative community caused a backlash in early 60's Indianapolis. His wife was spat on as she walked with their black child down the street.

Jones's sermons grew more fervid. He began faith-healing by removing tumors from people's bodies. These "tumors" were actually chicken livers removed by a sleight-of-hand trick, but the People's Temple believers were hooked.

When Jones thought the church should move to California to avoid a nuclear holocaust, 135 members loaded into buses and followed suit. The People's Temple had moved west...

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