Description
Consists of photographic prints of various sizes
pertaining to Peoples Temple, including individual and group portraits, publicity
photographs, and snapshots. Includes images of church services, recreational
outings, and Peoples Temple members working at various pursuits, including farming,
cooking, and woodworking. Includes interior and exterior shots of Peoples Temple
churches in the United States, images of Peoples Temple members in Jonestown and
Georgetown, Guyana, and approximately 6500 identification photographs of 3800
Peoples Temple members and others who attended church services in California. Also
includes negatives and two slides. Unidentified Peoples Temple members took the bulk
of the photographs before the deaths in Jonestown, Guyana, in November
1978.
Background
Peoples Temple began as a church founded by Jim and Marceline Jones and a small group
of parishioners in Indianapolis in 1955. As pastor, Jim Jones preached to a
racially-integrated congregation during Pentecostal-based services that included
healings and sermons on integration and class conflicts. Peoples Temple conducted
food drives; opened a "free restaurant" that served thousands of meals to the city's
poor in the early 1960s; operated nursing homes; and hosted weekly television and
radio programs featuring their integrated choir. The church became well known in the
Indianapolis press for the members' integration activities and for their assertions
of their pastor's gifts as a healer. The church became affiliated with the Disciples
of Christ denomination in 1960.
Extent
7 boxes, 25 albums
(10.5 linear feet)
Restrictions
Passport photographs, membership photographs, and other individual portraits of
former members who are still living require the written permission of that person to
be reproduced or published. The researcher must locate the individual and present
CHS with proof of permission, either by email or letter.
Availability
All researchers must sign the Access Agreement form, confirming that they have read
and understood the restrictions outlined in the document Restricted Materials in the
Peoples Temple Records, MS 3800. This document, and the Access Agreement form, are
available at the reference desk or can be sent electronically.