Lisbarnett and Lisbane are two townlands, some 600 acres of good farming land on the western edge of Strangford Lough, straddling the A22 main road from Comber to Killyleagh / Downpatrick 4 miles south of Comber, Co. Down. Situated in the unique drumlin countryside of East Down; it is a rural area which is undergoing significant changes with new housing rapidly changing the small settlement of Lisbane into a village, facing the problems and opportunities associated with Belfast urban fringe development.

A public meeting of local residents was held in the nearby Kilmood Parish Church Hall in August 1996 to discuss housing development in the Lisbarnett and Lisbane area and concerns over the lack of facilities; especially for younger and older residents. The committee elected quickly agreed to form the Lisbarnett and Lisbane Community Association (or LLCA), so called because both names enjoyed equal status in the local community.

One of the Association's first aims was to secure improved facilities for children and young people in the area. A youth club was set up in the darts room of Lisbarnett House, senior citizens outings and events were held and flowerbeds planted. Peace funding was obtained to audit the changes taking place, the needs of the community and to provide advice on how best to meet these needs. One of the three main priorities agreed was the need for a place to meet. There was no meeting place, churches or schools within the immediate area.

In the late 1940s this rural community funded a residence for the district nurse and a baby clinic at 16 / 18 Lisbarnett Road, which later became the doctor's surgery, eventually becoming vacant when a new Health Centre was built in 1993.

The Community Association requested use of the building from DHSS and eventually secured a long lease on favourable terms. Funding from Lottery, Peace 2 and other sources together with local fund raising made it possible to refurbish the two buildings to the required standards for a modern community centre.

Refurbished, it was officially opened in April 2000 as the Lisbarnett and Lisbane Community House. The buildings include a small self-contained recreation hall, the Johnston Room named after the first resident, District Nurse Johnston and providing facilities for many uses including the Lisbane After School Club, Lisbane Youth Clubs, Parent and Toddlers group, keep fit, yoga and other recreation classes etc. The original nurse's residence contains a community office, a well-equipped kitchen / coffee bar and two meeting rooms. The Wallace Room is named after Dr. Wallace, the local GP who was a key person in creating the original building. The Price Room is named after Mr. Price who donated the site for the original building.

To deal with its added responsibilities the Association became a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered number XR30670 with charitable status registered number NI39858. An elected Executive Committee that meets monthly deals with the management of the Association's affairs. Part time staff is employed and include a community worker and the staff of the After School Club.

Volunteers undertake responsibility for managing the various groups and activities. Educational and recreational classes are organised in partnership with East Down Institute of Further and Higher Education.

The Association is affiliated to the East Down Rural Community Network and works closely with other community based groups and statutory agencies in sharing experience and contacts.

The Association actively promotes the Community House as a neutral venue for activities that are inclusive and available to the whole community. The Executive Committee and group leaders are constantly looking for more volunteers to help make best use of the facilities available and fully exploit the opportunities to help the community help itself.