Description
The bulk of the collection consists of printed materials generated by Peoples Temple pertaining to their activities in the
United States and in Jonestown, the agricultural project started by Jim Jones in Guyana. Includes promotional materials such
as periodicals, flyers, brochures, newletters, fundraising materials and issues of
Peoples Forum, the Peoples Temple newspaper.
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
1 box, 1 oversize box
(2.0 linear feet)
Restrictions
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Director
of the Library and Archives, North Baker Research Library, California Historical Society, 678 Mission Street, San Francisco,
CA 94105. Consent is given on behalf of the California Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. Restrictions
also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational
purposes.
Availability
Collection is open for research.