Evans Metal Products

Evans Metal has been in business since 1945 and was started by my father, Clifford Evans, Sr. Starting in Elkhart, Dad specialized in Ornamental Iron and Stairs for home owners, businesses and general contractors in the Michiana area. I helped him in the summers from the time I was eleven. Like my father who graduated from Purdue in 1934, I graduated in 1968. I taught school for several years and left teaching to start a photographic studio. When he retired and asked me to work with him one day a week I was delighted. I wanted to be closer to my dad. One day led to two and I found myself working with him full time. It was good being close to my dad. During those years, we fabricated miles of railings and many flights of stairs from Ste. St. Marie to Mississippi and all through the Midwest. We were even shipping products to China, Belgium and Saudi Arabia. When my father fell off a balcony while field measuring in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, I began managing all aspects of the business while he was recovering. I ultimately bought the business in 1974 expanding our fabrications to include structural steel. In 1979, Evans Metal won an AISC Award for excellence for an architecturally exposed steel project, the Michigan City Library. In 1984, we built the 10 story atrium for the BP Building (now 200 Public Square) in downtown Cleveland. The business continued to expand in all aspects: capacity, diversity, and financially. At the same time, I came to faith in Jesus Christ in 1979. My life was and continues to be transformed as a result of this realization. That change nudged me more deeply and I felt called to greater Christian service. Thus, from 1986-1989 I was asked by my bishop to attend seminary. This resulted in my ordination to the priesthood in 1989 as an Episcopal priest. I served as a parish priest from 1989 until 2002 and on a bishop's staff from 2002 until 2007. Upon the retirement of the bishop and the election of a new bishop, all the staff were immediately released. These events directed me back into business. While I was in ministry full time, the business was managed by Bruce Rienks. He was a faithful manager. Upon my return to business we planned to increase the size of the business.