In 1865 Cleveland celebrated the end of the Civil War but mourned the loss of their President and the friends who had died away from home. Ceremonies were given in that year that recognized these conflicting emotions: President Abraham Lincoln's funeral procession through public square and a Thanksgiving service celebrating the war's end. During both ceremonies, however, one thing remained the same - the ringing of the First Presbyterian Bell.
The bell was cast and presented to the First Presbyterian belfry in 1865. It remained there for over a century until 1982 when it was removed. In 1989 the bell was returned to the church but did not make it to the belfry. It was instead placed in front of the church as a reminder of the "Year of Peace" in which it was cast.
