Renison was founded on January 14, 1959 under the authority of the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Huron, due to the efforts of the Kitchener and Waterloo Anglican communities. Renison continues to enjoy support from the Anglican community and, in particular, from within the Diocese.
It was named in memory of The Most Reverend Robert John Renison (1875-1957), a former Metropolitan of Ontario and Archbishop of Moosonee, which is why today our mascot is "Reni Moose."
On July 1, 1960, Renison struck an affiliation agreement with the University of Waterloo for the right to offer programs in Arts and the Social Sciences for credit towards a Bachelor of Arts degree from uWaterloo. The University transferred five acres of land on the west side of its campus to Renison in 1961, and Renison purchased an additional acre. The following year, Renison completed its first building, the Founders Building, which provided offices, classrooms, and two residence wings to house 40 men and 40 women. In 1964, it expanded with the construction of the Luxton Building, with classrooms, faculty offices, and a residence for 98 men.
Then, in 1992, it expanded further with the addition of St. Bede's Chapel, the Great Hall cafeteria, two additional residence floors, and an enlarged library. Renison expanded again in 2013 with the completion of the East Side Extension, which is home to new classroom space, student lounges, and faculty offices. Renison completed another building in 2015, home to Renison's English Language Institute and English Language Studies. With 17 new classrooms, the complex also features student lounges, meeting rooms, a glass atrium capable of hosting small events, and office space for staff and faculty members. In 2019, Renison completed a third floor addition above the library and ministry centre, which added classrooms and faculty office space.