Canisius College was built in 1938 on thirty-seven acres of elevated
farming land in the suburb of Pymble, Sydney, as the Theologate for
the Australian Province of the Society of Jesus. The property was thought
to be suitable as it was a picturesque piece of land over one mile from
the Pymble Station. Across Mona Vale Road was the Dalrymple Park which
sloped down towards Middle Harbour which fed into the Sydney Harbour. From
a little park down the road we can still see the city of Sydney laid out.
At the rear of the property there was an orchard and a farm where cows
could be kept. Over the years much milk was supplied by the cows living
on the property.
During those years many
theologians studied here before their ordinations. As a Theologate it closed
in 1968, when the students and professors moved to Melbourne to establish
the Jesuit Theological College in the suburb of Parkville.
After a few years the place became the Noviceship of the
Australian Province. Then the Tertianship was added, with
a few years later The Ignatian Centre of Spirituality also
was given a home here.
