Langhorne Carpet Company Weaves Rugs for Papal Visit and PhilaU Intern Helps!

From Langhorne Carpet Company's website is the following press release:

Philadelphia, PA (September 10, 2015) – The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015today announced that Langhorne Carpet Company is weaving and will donate three custom carpets to be used during the visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia on September 26 and 27. 
Under its long established ‘Carpets of Caring’ philanthropic program, the family-owned, 85-year-old Penndel, Bucks County-based textile company is weaving the Jacquard Wilton 100% organic wool carpets on its treasured Delaware County-manufactured “broad looms” for use during this historic occasion.Based on Langhorne’s original “Medallion of Hope” design, the 75’ x 9’ carpet will be rolled out and used during the Holy Father’s arrival and departure at Atlantic Aviation and the other two room accent carpets will be used inside the rectory of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.  Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in the Cathedral for the people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on September 26.
The Airport carpet, presented in Cardinal Red and Gothic Gold, features the decorative medallion border inspired by a section of the Cathedral Basilica’s stained glass windows. It requires nearly 191,000 yards of yarn (more than 100 miles) and will consist of more than one million individual woven loops. The carpets in the Cathedral rectory will feature the same signature medallion motif with the repeating six-inch diameter medallions.Langhorne’s in-house design team is led by company President William H. Morrow and includes Lead Designer Andrea Perlman and Design Assistant Lydia Whitford. Ms. Perlman is a 1977 graduate of Philadelphia University, from which Ms. Whitford will graduate in 2016.
 “We are honored to represent the greater Philadelphia region and the global wool textile community in weaving these distinctive, uplifting carpets for the Papal visit,” said Mr. William H. Morrow, President of Langhorne Carpet Company. “We greatly appreciate the opportunity presented by the World Meeting of Families and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to participate in this profoundly important event." 
Co-sponsored by the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the World Meeting of Families is a triennial global event that seeks to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society. This international gathering will welcome Pope Francis to the United States for the first time in his Papacy. Being held in the United States for the first time ever, the official theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families is “Love is OurMission: The Family Fully Alive.”.

See more from Langhorne Carpet Company at Langhorne Carpets

Lydia Whitford, a Philadelphia University student is currently interning at Langhorne Carpet Company and had the opportunity to work on this amazing project!

Here are some photos in anticipation of the Pope's visit.

Lydia Whitford and PhilaU alum Andrea Perlman working on "Medallion of Hope"

The Weaving Begins!

The creel of cones of yarn used in this carpet

The carpet coming off loom.

Finished "Medallion of Hope" Design. 

Red colorway of "Medallion of Hope" being rolled out.

Lydia Whitford and Andrea Perlman

Andrea Perlman discussing the beauty of the Medallion Design.