Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jim Jones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jim Jones made an impact.

Jim Jones was an American cult leader who founded the Peoples Temple. He is infamous for orchestrating a mass murder-suicide in Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978. Over 900 people, including Jones, died by cyanide poisoning, an event Jones termed "revolutionary suicide." The Jonestown Massacre significantly shaped public perception of cults and remains a stark example of the dangers of charismatic leadership and religious extremism.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1946: Began working at Reid Hospital

In 1946, to support himself after his parents' divorce, Jones began working as an orderly at Richmond's Reid Hospital, where he displayed disturbing behavior.

1952: Declared Intention to Become a Methodist Minister

In early 1952, Jim Jones announced his intention to become a Methodist minister, believing the church was ready to "put real socialism into practice." He was surprisingly supported by a Methodist district superintendent.

1952: Hired as Student Pastor

In the summer of 1952, Jim Jones was hired as a student pastor at the Sommerset Southside Methodist Church and launched a project to create an integrated playground. He continued to visit and speak at Pentecostal churches while serving as a Methodist student pastor.

1953: Began Preaching at Laurel Street Tabernacle

In 1953, Jim Jones began attending and preaching at the Laurel Street Tabernacle in Indianapolis, a Pentecostal Assemblies of God church. He also held healing revivals there and traveled to speak at other churches.

1954: Dismissal from Methodist Church

In early 1954, Jim Jones was dismissed from his position in the Methodist Church, ostensibly for stealing church funds. Jones claimed he left because the church forbade him from integrating African-Americans into his congregation.

June 1955: First Joint Meetings with William Branham

In June 1955, Jim Jones held his first joint meetings with William Branham, a healing evangelist and Pentecostal leader. This collaboration enhanced Jones's reputation in the Healing Revival movement.

1955: Continued preaching at Laurel Street Tabernacle

In 1955, Jim Jones continued to hold healing revivals at the Laurel Street Tabernacle until a new pastor enforced a ban on the practice.

1955: Founded the Peoples Temple

In 1955, Jim Jones founded the organization that would become the Peoples Temple in Indianapolis. This marked a significant step in his career as a religious leader.

1955: Established Wings of Healing

In 1955, after leaving the Laurel Street Tabernacle, Jim Jones established Wings of Healing, a new church that would later be renamed Peoples Temple. To fund the church, he sold pet monkeys.

1956: Ordained as IAoG Minister

In 1956, Jim Jones was ordained as an IAoG minister by Joseph Mattsson-Boze and organized a healing convention to take place June 11–15, 1956, in Indianapolis's Cadle Tabernacle, sharing the pulpit with William Branham.

1957: Hosted International Pentecostal Convention

In 1957, Peoples Temple hosted a second international Pentecostal convention headlined by William Branham. Through these conventions, Jones secured connections throughout the Latter Rain movement.

1960: Jones appointed director of local human rights commission

In 1960, Indianapolis Mayor Charles Boswell appointed Jim Jones director of the local human rights commission. Jones used this position to promote his views on local radio and television programs, defying Boswell's advice.

1960: Peoples Temple joins Disciples of Christ denomination

In 1960, Peoples Temple joined the Disciples of Christ denomination, located in Indianapolis. Archie Ijames assured Jones that the organization would tolerate his political beliefs.

1961: Jones hospitalized and integrates black ward

In 1961, Jim Jones collapsed and was hospitalized. He was accidentally placed in the hospital's black ward and refused to be moved, tending to the black patients and ultimately causing the hospital to desegregate its wards.

1961: Earned Degree in Secondary Education

In 1961, Jim Jones earned a degree in secondary education from Butler University. This degree provided him with formal qualifications that would support his career.

1964: Ordained as Minister by the Disciples of Christ

In 1964, Jim Jones joined and was ordained as a minister by the Disciples of Christ. He was attracted to the autonomy and tolerance the denomination granted to differing views.

1964: Jones ordained by Disciples of Christ

In 1964, Jim Jones was ordained by the Disciples of Christ denomination after Archie Ijames assured him that the organization would tolerate his political beliefs.

1965: Moved Temple to California

In 1965, Jim Jones moved the Peoples Temple to California, establishing its headquarters in San Francisco. This move expanded the Temple's reach and influence.

1966: Peoples Temple contributions to Disciples of Christ begin

Between 1966 and 1977, Peoples Temple contributed $1.1 million (equivalent to $4,697,803 in 2020) to the Disciples of Christ denomination.

1967: Recruitment through adult education school

In 1967, Jim Jones's followers coaxed another 75 members of the Indianapolis congregation to move to California. Also, in California, Jones used his position as a history and government teacher at an adult education school in Ukiah to recruit for Peoples Temple, teaching his students the benefits of Marxism and lecturing on religion. Jones planted loyal members of Peoples Temple in the classes to help him with recruitment. Jones recruited 50 new members to Peoples Temple in the first few months.

1968: Admission to Disciples of Christ

In 1968, the Peoples Temple's California location was admitted to the Disciples of Christ.

1970: Temple branches open in several cities

By 1970, Peoples Temple opened branches in San Fernando, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Jones began shifting his focus to major cities across California due to limited expansion opportunities in Ukiah.

1975: Role in George Moscone's election and appointment

In 1975, Jim Jones and Peoples Temple played a crucial role in George Moscone's election as mayor of San Francisco. Subsequently, Moscone appointed Jones as the chairman of the San Francisco Housing Authority Commission.

1975: Appointed Chairman of San Francisco Housing Authority Commission

In 1975, Jim Jones was appointed as chairman of the San Francisco Housing Authority Commission. This appointment highlighted his influence and connections with prominent California politicians.

September 1976: Testimonial Dinner for Jim Jones

In September 1976, Assemblyman Willie Brown hosted a testimonial dinner for Jim Jones, attended by Governor Jerry Brown and Lieutenant Governor Mervyn Dymally. During the dinner, Willie Brown praised Jones, comparing him to Martin Luther King Jr., Angela Davis, Albert Einstein, and Mao.

1976: Political Connections Established

In 1976, Jim Jones established connections with key national political figures through his California political contacts. He and Moscone met privately with vice presidential candidate Walter Mondale before the election, leading Mondale to publicly praise the Temple. First Lady Rosalynn Carter also met with Jones and corresponded with him, and Jones also forged alliances with columnists, which gave him favorable press.

January 1977: Jones Travels to Cuba

In January 1977, Jim Jones traveled to Cuba with Carlton Goodlett to establish an import-export trading relation for a San Francisco Bay Area company. He visited the residence of Black Panther Huey Newton and spoke about Newton's desire to return to the United States.