Evert Zoudenbalch played a prominent role in the Utrecht Civil War, but his lasting fame is due to an act of charity which continues to resound to this day. Evert was born some years after his brother Gerrit, and as the younger one of his family was destined for the church. He studied divinity at the University of Louvain from 1441 to 1445, and upon his return to Utrecht immediately secured offices and sinecures thanks to the influence of his family. He was appointed a canon of the Dom of Utrecht on 23 October 1445 and became choir-bishop (koorbisschop) some time before 10 January 1446, well before being ordained as a deacon and priest on 3 April 1451. He was appointed procurator (fabrieksmeester) of the Dom and as such was responsible for the last stages of the construction and renovation of the great Dom of Utrecht. He certainly made use of his influence in this office to procure architects and artisans for his own family and charitable projects.