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James Warren Jones is Born
Jim Jones is born in Crete, Indiana. -
Start in church
Jones started at a Methodist Church in Indianapolis where he served as a student pastor until he decided to branch out and start his own church. -
Founding of People's Temple
Jones opens an interdenominational church in Indianapolis as an unordained minister, selling monkeys to help raise money to expand. -
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Missionary Work
Jones was a big human rights activist. In 1961, Jones was named director of the Indianapolis Human Rights Commission. From 1961-1963, he did missionary work in Brazil where he paid a visit to Guyana. -
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Disciples of Christ
Jones comes back to his church that is now called the People's Temple which is affiliated with the Disciples of Christ. He becomes ordained as a Disciples of Christ Minister. -
First Move
Jones and 100 of his follower moves to Redwood Valley which is about 100 miles outside of San Francisco, claiming that the area would be secluded and safe in the event of a nuclear war. -
Expansion of People's Temple
Jones purchases a church in Los Angeles as well as one in San Francisco called the Albert Pike Memorial Temple. -
Jonestown - Guyana
Lease is negotiated between People's Temple and the Guyanese government for a property by the name of Jonestown. They were granted over 3,800 acres of land in the jungle. -
"Inside People's Temple"
An article is published in New West magazine titled "Inside People's Temple." In the article, the author charges Jones with multiple different accusations. These included hoarding five million dollars in money and property, human rights violations of members, beating members, taking advantage of the elderly, and abuse of children. Jones resigns from the Housing Authority from Jonestown. -
Deterioration of Jones
Carlton Goodlett who was a physician and supporter of the temple visits Jonestown and recommends that Jones seek medical attention. Later, U.S. embassy representatives also report his rundown state. -
Leo Ryan
Congressman Leo Ryan wanted to get a deeper look into what was happening on Guyana, so he announced that he would be going with his team to visit Jonestown. This was due to the extensive amount of scandal around Jim Jones and his curiosity about others he knew from San Francisco who followed him to Guyana in the first place. -
End of People's Temple - Jonestown Massacre
Representative Ryan is waiting for transport out of Jonestown with other members who wanted to leave when he is attacked and killed with others attacked with gunfire at the Port Kaituma Airstrip. Later that day, over 900 people living in Jonestown were killed by poison which was given to children and adult members- a soft drink laced with cyanide. Jones was found dead with a gunshot wound in his head. It is estimated that 911 people died in the murder/suicide.