The Knights of Columbus at Transfiguration Church carried 40-pound wooden crosses up Kennesaw Mountain to raise money for seminarians.

Sean Meehan, son of the organizer, carried the cross during the challenge. He completed the hike along with his wife, Gina.

The teams of Knights came from St. Thomas the Apostle in Smyrna, St. Michael the Archangel in Woodstock and St. Gerard Majella in Fort Oglethorpe. A ChrisTeen team from the parish that included four teens also participated. The “Carry Your Cross” hike took place Saturday, Nov. 6.

As of Nov. 17, the event raised $9,700 for local seminarians. With the approval of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the plan is to distribute it to seminarians who could use additional funds, and then send checks of $500 to each of those young men studying for the priesthood, said Mike Meehan, who brainstormed the idea. About 100 people contributed to the cause.

Each team carried a cross about 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It began at 8:30 a.m. on the Northern Trail at Kennesaw Mountain and was about a 5.8-mile hike over two mountains and along the more gentle Camp Brumby Trail along the east side of the mountain. It took about three hours to complete. There were no injuries, no one got lost and all said they had a good time with good weather, a beautiful trail and a worthwhile cause to support, said Meehan.

Roger Heil and Gerry Difilippo organized the event along with Meehan.