It’s time to repair the ‘God is Love’ sign again

Driving down McGregor Boulevard, day or night, you can’t miss the sign.

Three simple words illuminated in neon green: God is Love.

“I don’t have to give anybody my address just tell them I live at the God is Love sign,” said Richard Cochenour.

Cochenour has the sign in his front yard. People stop by to see the sign or just share what it means to them.

He said everyone has a story.

“I’ve grown up in this neighborhood with the sign here. I was a little kid when the sign was put up. My grandparents used to bring me down here to see the sign,” Cochenour said.

The sign has been a fixture in the community for 80 years and has survived storms and the Florida heat.

“God intends for this sign to be here,” said Kenneth Walker, president of the John and Aliese Price Foundation, adding that, “It’s important spiritually to the community to see this sign and so we want to continue to maintain it.”

The sign has had some work done through the years.

The last refurbishment was in 2016.

Now it’s time to fix it again. The plan is to have someone come out and assess what needs to be repaired. The Price Foundation plans to reach out to other organizations to help finance the repairs.

“All the letters are starting to peel off,” Cochenour said. “The black in the sign is all dull. It’s flaking off so we just want to bring it back to where when you see it it looks brand new again.”

Cochenour said it’s an honor to bring joy to those who read the sign regardless if they’re religious or not.

“When I look at it, I see a message to everybody,” Cochenour said. “To enjoy the world, live in peace, be happy.”