Catholic church used by cult leader to reopen in Guyana

Associated Press/August 14, 2015

Georgetown, Guyana  — Officials say that a Catholic Church once used by American cult leader Jim Jones will reopen for worship next month after being rebuilt following a destructive fire 11 years ago.

Jones used the Sacred Heart Church to launch his Peoples Temple movement in the South American nation. Catholic church officials eventually barred the group from the building after discovering that chicken blood and parts were being used in healing services.

The cult leader and his more than 900 followers then moved to a remote jungle commune, later taking part in the 1978 mass killings-suicide.

The church was later destroyed in an electrical fire.

Catholic Bishop Francis Alleyne said Saturday the rebuilt church would reopen next month after a $600,000 investment. It was first built by Portuguese settlers in 1861.

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