In 1850, a group of Jesuits left Europe in response to Bishop John Timon's call for a Catholic institution to serve European immigrants settling in Western New York.

The school sits just south of Gates Circle, with tree-lined parkways designed and built by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux leading to Delaware Park.

Canisius is also located just east of the Elmwood Village,[7] which was ranked as one of "10 Great Neighborhoods in America" by the American Planning Association.

[8] Construction on the present-day Koessler Academic Center, also known as Berchmans' Hall, was started in 1918 by George F. Rand, Sr., founder and former president of Marine Midland Bank.

The facility was originally built as a private residence in the Jacobethan style, with gables, steep green slate roofs, chimney pots, and mullioned windows.

The Masons made several additions to the building, including a large marble foyer, a pool, Turkish baths, bowling alleys, and locker rooms.

[9] The Masons are also responsible for Canisius' auditorium, which at the time of its construction boasted the largest continuous, free-spanning balcony in the United States, custom-made French chandeliers, and an advanced electrical lighting system, part of which is currently stored in the Smithsonian archives.

This lighting system included a stained glass sun built into the ceiling, with hundreds of individual "stars" mimicking the night sky, and a blue band representing the Milky Way.

In 1957, the adjacent Milburn House, site of the death of President William McKinley, was demolished to make way for a parking lot.

Frauenheim Hall was demolished and replaced by the Bernard J. Kennedy Field House, with a seating capacity of over 1,000 for basketball games and other indoor sporting events.

Canisius students participate in a number of interscholastic sports; the school is a founding member of the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association.

The Canisius football team has become one of the most recognized programs in the Northeast over the last few years thanks in part to the successes of recent graduates like John Urschel '09 and Jimmy Gaines '10 as well as several other high-profile Division 1 recruits.