UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 16, 2008


                              CENTRAL BANCORP, INC.
                              ---------------------
               (Exact Name Of Registrant As Specified In Charter)


       MASSACHUSETTS                      0-25251              04-3447594
- --------------------------------      -------------------     -------------
(State Or Other Jurisdiction            (Commission           (IRS Employer
Of Incorporation)                       File Number)         Identification No.)


399 HIGHLAND AVENUE, SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS                       02144
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address Of Principal Executive Offices)                           (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (617) 628-4000
                                                           --------------


                                 NOT APPLICABLE
          -------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name Or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
    (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
    (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





ITEM 8.01     OTHER EVENTS.
              ------------

         On October 16, 2008, Central Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") issued a
press release announcing that its Board of Directors declared its regular
quarterly cash dividend of eighteen ($0.18) cents per share, payable on November
21, 2008, to stockholders of record as of November 7, 2008. A copy of the
Company's press release is attached to this Report as Exhibit 99.1 and is
furnished herewith.

ITEM 9.01     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
              ---------------------------------

       (d)    Exhibits

              Number           Description
              ------           -----------

              99.1             Press Release dated October 16, 2008







                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                       CENTRAL BANCORP, INC.



Date: October 16, 2008                 By: /s/ Paul S. Feeley
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Paul S. Feeley
                                           Senior Vice President, Treasurer and
                                           Chief Financial Officer